European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Means
If the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names across European Union markets.
However, before the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the 27 EU member states, which remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers require clear information and while meat terms must only refer to items from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production or plant products," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
The isn't the first effort to control such terminology. The European parliament rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that most consumers comprehend product labels when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure next requires review by EU member states, where it needs to secure broad support to become law.
Considering the divided opinions within various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
