BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Less sugar, fat and salt when eating, especially for children, more organic and regional food at lunch in the canteen: According to plans by the federal government, a healthier diet should become easier in everyday life for millions of people in Germany. “I want everyone to have a real choice for good food,” said Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) on Wednesday. The cabinet decided on a strategy with goals and measures that also focus on more fruit and vegetables and less food waste. Consumer advocates, environmental and health experts criticized the plans as disappointing.
“Tasty, healthy and sustainable food shouldn’t depend on your wallet or what family you come from,” said Özdemir in Berlin. And to clarify, he added: “Everyone has to decide for themselves, so no one has to dictate anything to anyone.” The minister made it clear with regard to debates about whether schnitzel or coffee with sugar should still be on the table.
The “Good Food for Germany” strategy is intended to start particularly in places where many people eat, drink or shop every day – in companies, schools, daycare centers, supermarkets. Healthy eating is not always made easy, explained Özdemir. Often there is no corresponding offer. There is a need for action: More than one in ten people in this country have diabetes, and unhealthy diet is associated with 14 percent of deaths. The strategy lists various measures – with a “target horizon up to 2050”.
Central role for canteens and cafeterias
Canteens and cafeterias should play an important role in companies and other establishments where around 17 million people eat every day. There should be more plant-based, seasonal and, if possible, regional and organically produced products on the menu and also “offered in such a way that young people enjoy eating them,” as the strategy states. The quality standards and practical tips of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) should therefore be established as binding by 2030.
The network of educational institutions is controlled by the states. The first citizens’ assembly at the Bundestag, which recommended a free, healthy lunch for all children in daycare centers and schools, also provided an impetus for this at the weekend. The federal government should finance at least half of this. Özdemir expressed sympathy for this and made it clear that in a large economy like Germany, ways of financing should be found. And it would also be something if the federal government became active as a demand factor, for example at the locations of armed forces and federal police.
No more advertising for unhealthy products
The strategy also states that the government plans to impose restrictions on the advertising of unhealthier products to children. But the project from the coalition agreement has been stuck for months due to objections from the FDP. Özdemir promoted the revised plans, which should be discussed further. “I stand by my word,” he made clear. It would be “a joke in history” if no solution was found. Özdemir has already narrowed down the requirements. Advertising bans for products with too much sugar, fat and salt should therefore be concentrated on times when a particularly large number of children are watching television.
The consumption centers welcomed the fact that the federal government had recognized the need for action. The strategy is “a first step”, but the implementation is crucial. The General Local Health Insurance Funds (AOK) explained that the strategy remains vague when it comes to concrete measures. It is questionable whether the nutritional transition can be achieved in this way. The environmental organization WWF complained that the plans remained non-binding. It would be conceivable, for example, for a federal investment program with contributions from the states to switch to sustainable communal catering in daycare centers, schools or hospitals.
Reactions within the coalition were mixed. For the SPD, MP Peggy Schierenbeck called the strategy a “milestone for social justice if we implement it effectively and sustainably”. The FDP specialist politician Gero Hocker spoke of a “hodgepodge of declarations of intent and test orders”. When it comes to concrete measures in parliament, he will oppose any patronization of agriculture and consumers./sam/DP/jha