During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
Should the measure is implemented, common vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to change their names across EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which is uncertain.
Supporters contend that consumers need transparent labeling and while meat terms must exclusively refer to products from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent goods from our livestock: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
The isn't the first attempt to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a national ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research showing that most consumers comprehend product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
The legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among various politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
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