European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant vote this week, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU markets.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive support from most of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that customers require transparent labeling and while traditional names must exclusively refer to products derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production or plant products," stated France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France previously enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering familiar names would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand these names provided products are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The legislative measure now requires consideration by EU member states, where it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Given the divided opinions within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
