European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods

In a significant vote this week, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.

What the Vote Signifies

If this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names throughout EU markets.

However, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains uncertain.

Key Debate Surrounding the Measure

Supporters contend that consumers require transparent labeling and that meat terms should exclusively describe items from animals.

"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.

Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision populist tactics.

"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.

Past Attempts and Judicial Background

The isn't the first attempt to control these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.

France previously introduced a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.

Business and Public Reaction

Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar terms would mislead shoppers.

Consumer groups point to research showing that most consumers understand these names when items are clearly marked as vegetarian.

"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.

What Next

The proposal now requires review by EU member states, and it must secure majority support to become law.

Considering the divided opinions within both politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.