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During a significant decision this week, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.

The Vote Means

If this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed across EU countries.

Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which is far from certain.

Key Debate Surrounding the Measure

Proponents argue that customers need clear information and that traditional names should only refer to items from animals.

"A steak or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said French MEP the proposal's author.

Critics, including Green MEPs, called the move populist tactics.

"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Past Attempts and Legal Background

The marks another attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.

The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in this year.

Industry and Public Reaction

Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar names would confuse consumers.

Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of consumers understand these names as long as items are properly identified as vegan.

"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology provided items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.

What Next

The proposal next faces review by EU member states, where it must secure broad support to be enacted.

Given the mixed views within both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.