European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Means
If this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent labeling and that meat terms should only describe products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated France's MEP CĂ©line Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision pointless restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously introduced a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing established terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand these names as long as items are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Given the divided views within various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
