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EU Revisits Meat Term Ban for Plant-Based Products, Sparking Debate

The EU's potential ban on meat terms for plant-based products is back on the table. This time, it's causing a stir among consumers, retailers, and manufacturers alike.

In this picture, we see glass from which we can see the trays containing the meat. We even see the...
In this picture, we see glass from which we can see the trays containing the meat. We even see the price tags. On the left side, we see the buildings and trees. There are trees and buildings in the background. At the top, we see the ceiling of the room. This might be a meat shop.

A Veggie Schnitzel Ban? How Stupid Is That? - EU Revisits Meat Term Ban for Plant-Based Products, Sparking Debate

The EU is once again considering a ban on using meat terms for plant-based products, a proposal backed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer. The EU Parliament will soon vote on the Veggie-Sausage Regulation, sparking debate among political groups.

Five years ago, a similar attempt to impose such a ban narrowly failed. Now, a French EPP MEP with close ties to agriculture has resubmitted the proposal, which has already passed the agriculture committee. The EPP, the largest faction in the EU Parliament and home to German representatives of CDU/CSU, supports the move.

The proposal aims to reserve terms like 'Sausage', 'Schnitzel', 'Steak', or 'Burger' exclusively for products containing meat. However, consumer protection organizations argue that the majority of consumers are not confused by the terms used. Discounters like Lidl and Aldi oppose the name ban, stating that vegan alternatives are already well-known to customers and a name change would cause more confusion. Manufacturers of plant-based alternatives, such as Rügenwalder Mühle, also stand against the ban. The meat and sausage industry's history of systematic misinformation, like labeling 'chicken sausage' mainly consisting of pork, further fuels the debate.

If approved by the EU Parliament, the ban will face another hurdle as EU countries must also agree. The vote will shed light on the political groups' main concerns and positions regarding this contentious proposal.

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