EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Means
If this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to be renamed across EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent labeling and that meat terms must only refer to items from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French MEP CÃĐline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the move populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another attempt to control such names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that changing established names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as items are properly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal next requires review by EU member states, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
