đź”— Share this article EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods In a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products. The Decision Means If the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian products like veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across EU markets. Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which is uncertain. The Debate Surrounding the Measure Supporters argue that consumers need clear labeling and while meat terms should exclusively describe products from animals. "A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said French MEP CĂ©line Imart. Critics, including Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction. "Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz. Past Attempts and Legal Context The marks another effort to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago. France previously introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in this year. Business and Public Response Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar terms would confuse consumers. Consumer groups cite research indicating that most consumers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian. "Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names provided products are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC. What Following the Vote This legislative measure next requires consideration by EU member states, and it needs to obtain broad approval to become law. Considering the mixed opinions within various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still unclear.