European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products

During a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.

What the Vote Signifies

If the measure is implemented, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names throughout European Union markets.

Nevertheless, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, which is far from certain.

Key Debate Surrounding the Measure

Proponents argue that customers require transparent labeling and that traditional names should exclusively describe products from livestock.

"An escalope and sausages are products from animal farming: not synthetic production or plant products," stated French MEP Céline Imart.

Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move political maneuvering.

"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Past Attempts and Judicial Background

The marks another effort to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in four years ago.

The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.

Business and Public Reaction

Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse consumers.

Advocacy organizations point to research showing that most shoppers understand product labels when items are clearly marked as vegan.

"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.

What Following the Vote

This proposal next faces consideration by European governments, and it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.

Given the divided opinions within various politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.