EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products

During a significant decision this week, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products.

The Decision Means

If the measure is implemented, common plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union markets.

However, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.

Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure

Proponents argue that customers require clear labeling and while traditional names should only describe items from livestock.

"A steak or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.

Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the move political maneuvering.

"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Past Attempts and Legal Background

The marks another effort to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.

France previously enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.

Industry and Public Reaction

Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering established names would mislead shoppers.

Consumer groups point to surveys showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names as long as items are clearly identified as vegetarian.

"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize these names as long as products are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.

What Next

The legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.

Given the divided opinions within both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.