In a major decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from most of the 27 EU countries, which is far from certain.
Supporters argue that customers need clear information and that meat terms should only describe products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, called the decision pointless regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
The isn't the first attempt to regulate such names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend these names as long as products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
This legislative measure next requires consideration by EU member states, and it must secure majority approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions within both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
Elara is a seasoned gaming journalist with a passion for slot mechanics and player strategies.
