European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products

In a significant vote this week, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.

The Vote Signifies

If this proposal is implemented, common plant-based items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed across European Union countries.

However, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from most of the 27 EU member states, something that remains uncertain.

Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure

Proponents contend that customers require clear information and that traditional names must only describe items derived from animals.

"A steak and sausages represent products from our livestock: not synthetic production nor plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.

Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary restriction.

"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Previous Efforts and Judicial Context

This isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar ban in 2020.

France previously introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.

Business and Consumer Response

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

Consumer groups point to surveys showing that the majority of consumers understand these names when items are properly marked as vegan.

"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize these names provided products are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.

What Comes Following the Vote

This legislative measure now faces consideration by European governments, and it must obtain majority approval to be enacted.

Given the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.