Dispute over veggie sausage reignited: Substitute products threatened with name ban

There are renewed discussions in the European Union about regulations for plant-based substitutes. Terms like "vegan sausage" and "plant-based schnitzel" may no longer be allowed in the future.

The proposal to ban terms like "schnitzel" or "burger" for plant-based substitutes was submitted by the European People's Party (EPP), reports " Agrarheute ." This motion was adopted on September 8 in the EU Parliament's Agriculture Committee in Strasbourg by a majority of 33 votes to 10, with five abstentions.

EPP MEP Céline Imart emphasized the importance of culinary traditions: "A steak is made of meat – period," she explained. The EU Commission had also previously submitted a proposal to tighten the terms for meat-free alternatives , reports " Top Agrar ." While terms like "burger" and "sausage" were spared in previous proposals, the current proposal goes further.

According to " Bild ," the new list of prohibited foods now includes "steak," " schnitzel ," "egg yolk," and "egg white." The EU Parliament will make a final decision on this proposal in October. Dr. Nina Wolff of Pro Veg expressed concerns about potential negative effects on the growing plant-based alternative products industry.

There is also criticism from the Green Party. Member of Parliament Thomas Waitz made it clear: "No one will confuse a seitan schnitzel with a veal schnitzel." He sees the proposed restrictions as a threat to consumer diversity and also speaks of "cheap populism" under the pretext of protecting farmers.