EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a major decision this week, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If the measure becomes law, popular plant-based products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which is far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that customers need clear information and while traditional names should exclusively describe items derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move political maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing established names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that the majority of consumers understand these names as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure now faces consideration by European governments, and it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided views within various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
