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To be a schnitzel or not to be? The EU’s proposed ban on plant-based meat labels is attracting criticism from consumer protection advocates, food industry companies and politicians.
Vegan schnitzels are on display at the vegan butcher’s shop. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Oliver Berg
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Brussels (dpa) – German Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer opposes a potential EU ban on the labelling of plant-based food with terms for meat-based products such as “veggie schnitzel” or “tofu sausage.”
A ban would cause “incredibly high costs for the economy” and lead to further bureaucracy, said Rainer before a meeting with a fellow EU official in Luxembourg on Monday. “I am in favour of reducing bureaucracy, which is why I do not support this proposal,” he added.
The comments came after the European Parliament earlier this month narrowly voted in favour of banning the use of terms traditionally used in the meat industry for plant-based substitute products.
Lawmakers argued that the labels create a risk of confusion for consumers, but Rainer rejected the argument. “When they buy a veggie schnitzel, they know that it’s not made from meat,” he said.
Consumer protection advocates and companies in the food industry have sharply criticized the planned ban. Several companies in Germany, including Lidl supermarkets and fast food chain Burger King, also voiced their opposition to the proposal in a joint letter.
Germany is the largest market for plant-based alternative products in Europe. In 2024, some 121,600 metric tons of meat substitutes were produced in the country – twice as much as in 2019.
Following the European Parliament vote, negotiations are to take place between lawmakers and the EU member states to determine whether a ban will be implemented. (27 October)
The editorial responsibility for the publication lies with dpa.
