Nutrition Report 2018 - Regional products and improved animal husbandry required

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture questioned Germans about their dietary habits

According to the latest nutrition report, 90 percent of Germans are prepared to pay more for products if better animal husbandry conditions are possible. Four out of five consumers are in favor of a state label for animal welfare. Seventy-eight percent of consumers (78%) said they prefer groceries from the region when shopping. The Nutrition Report 2018 was recently presented in Berlin.

"We have to firmly anchor nutrition education in the curriculum - preferably as a separate subject" - these are the words Christian Schmidt, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, starts the Nutrition Report 2018. The report of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) refers to a survey of the opinion research institute forsa, which was commissioned for this purpose. 1,000 Germans aged 14 and over were asked about their eating and shopping habits. The main findings are summarized in the Nutrition Report 2018 in 11 categories.

The food report 2018 provides information about the buying and eating habits of Germans. (Image: bit24 / fotolia.com)

More money for better animal husbandry

In summary, 90 percent of respondents showed willingness to spend more on animal products if the animals were kept better than required by applicable law. Only a very small proportion of two percent does not want to spend more money on animal welfare. Most consumers (52 percent) would be willing to pay 20 to 50 percent for the better housing conditions. 23 percent are even willing to accept a surcharge of 50 to 100 percent.

Well, it has to taste good

There are 99 percent of respondents agree: the food must taste good. Closely followed by the health factor. Here are 92 percent of the opinion that the food should be healthy. The older the respondents, the more priority healthy food has. In terms of food preparation, more than half (54 percent) of city dwellers value the fact that food can be prepared quickly, whereas for people in small towns, only 40 percent play a role.

Daily eating and drinking habits in Germany

Front runners here are fruits and vegetables. Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of the survey participants treat themselves to fruit and vegetables every day. Dairy products are also very popular. In 65 percent of the respondents, cheese, yoghurt and cottage cheese are on the daily menu. 40 percent drink fresh milk, buttermilk or whey every day. Meat and sausages are on the plate of almost every third person (30 percent) every day. Among the thirst quenchers, the good old water is ranked 1st with 91 percent. Closely followed by classic hot drinks such as coffee or tea with 84 percent. Coke, lemonade, juices and other soft drinks only come into the glass at 24 percent a day.

How and where do we buy??

78 percent of respondents value the fact that the food comes from their region. Where women with 85 percent share more emphasis on regionality than men with 70 percent. This showed that this factor becomes more important with age. Another trend is the appreciation of seals. 41 percent said that they pay attention when shopping. The spontaneous inspiration in the business is a purchase criterion for 55 percent of consumers.

What do Germans want to know about their products??

About three quarters (79 percent) find information on ingredients and additives on the origin of the goods as well as warnings important. Also, the best before date is observed at 73 percent. Many people also want information that is not required by law. For meat and animal products, 85 percent of participants want to have more detailed information about the housing conditions. 79 percent even want a state animal welfare label. Furthermore, respondents are each interested in more than 80 percent of the topics of fairness in production, environmental compatibility and whether a product was produced without genetic engineering.

The internet is on the rise

Although about two-thirds (69 percent) use the information at the point of purchase, 42 percent of respondents say they are increasing their awareness of food through online research. This is increasingly evident in the younger participants. Thirty-one percent of people under the age of 30 use social media to gather information, compared to just four percent of over-60s. As many as 91 percent believe that children should learn the basics of good nutrition in school.

Cooking is fun - but not every day

Three-quarters (73 percent) of the respondents enjoy regular cooking. 54 percent of female participants cook daily. For men, only 31 percent. Almost half of the people (43 percent) prefer meals outside the home. In the working population, the lunchbox or lunchbox remains the classic. 56 percent eat at work what they have brought home from home. Only 19 percent of the workforce use the offer of a canteen. The prices for the lunch menu increased on average from 6,20 Euro to 7,30 Euro.

Consumers take responsibility against food waste

86 percent of respondents want to reduce food waste. 63 percent are already more conscious and more than half say they are struggling to use food leftovers to reduce waste and waste resources. (Fp)