🔗 Share this article EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products During a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods. The Decision Means Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU markets. Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is uncertain. Key Arguments Behind the Measure Proponents contend that consumers require clear labeling and while meat terms should only refer to items derived from livestock. "An escalope and sausages are goods from our livestock: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said French lawmaker the proposal's author. Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist tactics. "Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz. Previous Attempts and Judicial Context This isn't the first attempt to control these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago. France earlier introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024. Industry and Consumer Response Major Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers. Consumer groups point to research indicating that most shoppers understand product labels as long as products are properly identified as vegetarian. "Almost 70% of shoppers understand these names as long as items are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC. What Next The legislative measure now requires consideration by EU member states, and it must secure broad support to become law. Given the divided opinions within both politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative is still unclear.