EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout EU markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain support from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that customers require clear labeling and while traditional names must only describe products derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor plant products," said France's lawmaker CĂ©line Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision political maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control these names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Response
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering established names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as items are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided products are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure now faces consideration by EU member states, and it must secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within both politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.