European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products

During a major decision this week, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.

What the Decision Signifies

Should the measure is implemented, common vegetarian products like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed across European Union markets.

However, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain support from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains uncertain.

Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure

Supporters contend that customers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should exclusively refer to items derived from animals.

"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor plant products," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.

Critics, including Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary restriction.

"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Previous Attempts and Judicial Context

The isn't the first effort to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.

The French government previously enacted a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.

Industry and Consumer Response

Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.

Advocacy organizations cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names when items are properly marked as vegetarian.

"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.

What Next

This legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority support to be enacted.

Given the mixed opinions among both politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.