More regional and sometimes organic for lunch: Federal Food Minister Cem Özdemir is aiming for healthier meals in companies, daycare centers, schools and hospitals. He does not want to dictate to people what they should eat, said the Green politician after a cabinet decision on the cornerstones of a government nutrition strategy in Berlin.
"I want to ensure that it is possible for everyone in Germany to eat well and healthily - regardless of income, education or origin." Community catering in refectories and canteens should therefore also be used as a lever for this.
More seasonal, regional and organic food
The nutrition strategy should be decided by the end of 2023. This includes making the recommendations of the German Society for Nutrition the standard in community catering by 2030. More seasonal, regional and ecologically produced food should be used. "Anyone who experiences how good fruit, vegetables or legumes taste may be less likely to reach for the Germans' most popular canteen dish, currywurst with fries," said Özdemir. This protects your own health, the environment and the climate.
Another declared goal is an overall more plant-based diet with less meat. Sugar, fat and salt are to be further reduced in recipes for finished products. Less food should end up in the trash. The previous government had already initiated voluntary commitments by the industry. The goal of the coalition agreement is also to restrict advertising for foods with a lot of sugar, fat and salt that are marketed to children under the age of 14.
Widespread obesity
Özdemir pointed out that a good two-thirds of men, half of women and almost every sixth child in this country are overweight. He countered objections that a balanced diet is automatically associated with high prices. "It's true that if you want strawberries in winter, it will be more expensive." But if you orientate yourself seasonally, it could even be cheaper.
For the co-governing FDP, parliamentary group leader Carina Konrad said with a view to better school and daycare catering: "High quality must not be confused with organic quotas. Such specifications only make the meals more expensive, but by no means qualitatively better." Rather, the providers of the facilities should be able to focus on reaching as many children as possible with a healthy offer. This is also possible through the price.
Criticism of Özdemir's plans
The consumer organization Foodwatch criticized that Özdemir's plans fell far short. He can already implement concrete measures that health and consumer associations have been demanding for years. For example, VAT on fruit and vegetables must be eliminated so that everyone can afford a healthy diet. In return, manufacturers of sugary drinks should pay a levy. The German Food Association explained that a good and balanced diet is fundamentally possible for everyone today. Various causes of malnutrition and malnutrition must be combated. A "unilateral promotion of a given diet by the state" should be rejected.
