European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed across European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require clear labeling and while traditional names must only describe products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not synthetic production or plant products," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously introduced a national restriction 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.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels as long as products are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology as long as products are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This legislative measure next requires review by European governments, and it must obtain broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
