European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
In a major decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to change their names throughout EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters argue that consumers require clear information and while traditional names should only refer to items derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not laboratory art nor plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision pointless regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
The marks another attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.
France previously enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Public Response
Leading Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels as long as items are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand these names as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal next requires consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions within various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
