Nutrition Report 2019 A healthier diet for many is the goal

This is how the German population wants to feed in 2019

In 2019, people in Germany want to eat healthier and pay more attention to the ingredients of their purchased food. More and more consumers are eating more consciously. This trend emerges from the Food Report 2019 of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and also puts pressure on the food industries, especially the sugar industry.

"Consumers want differentiated information and orientation," explains Julia Klöckner, the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), at the presentation of the Nutrition Report 2019. The German population is increasingly looking for a healthy diet that has to taste good. Every year, the report of the Federal Ministry provides important information about trends and developments in nutrition.

Consumers want less sugar, trans fat and salt

"It is important for 71 percent that finished products contain less sugar, 68 percent want less unhealthy trans fats and 38 percent less salt," summarizes Federal Minister Klöckner the most important findings. Nevertheless, the taste comes first. Although nine out of ten people believe healthy eating is important, the report found that 99 percent of respondents said taste was the most important.

Low calorie sugar

However, according to the survey, only seven percent want the mentioned sugar reduction through sugar substitutes, such as artificial sweeteners. According to Klöckner, the solution could be a new sugar variant. The BMEL is currently promoting the development of a lower-calorie sugar that can be obtained from sugar beet by means of a special process.

Sugar industry under pressure

The Economic Association of Sugar e.V. (VVZ) responded to the report and acknowledged that general changes in nutrition are needed. "Consumers expect that where sugar is reduced in food, the calories also have to go down significantly," reports Günter Tissen, chief executive officer of the WVZ in a press release on the report. This is currently not the case. Therefore, the reduction of energy supply rightly in the focus of the Federal Ministry. Because in the fight against obesity and obesity count primarily the number of calories.

New animal welfare mark

As the report shows, another major concern of the population is the improvement of animal husbandry. "The Nutrition Report also supports our plan to introduce a state animal welfare label that goes beyond a pure postmark," emphasizes Klöckner. Eighty-one percent of respondents favored an official seal that ensures livestock is kept better than required by law.

Healthy nutrition as a primary school subject?

The report also shows that more and more people are eating outside the home. Thus, the offered nutrition in canteens and schools will be more in focus. Especially schools should have a role model, according to Klöckner. Your Ministry, together with the German Nutrition Society, is working to ensure that the basics of a healthy diet are taught in elementary school.

The essential findings at a glance

The complete Nutrition Report 2019 can be viewed free of charge on the website of the BMEL. Here is a brief overview of the key findings from the Nutrition Report 2019:

• 99 percent want the food to taste first and foremost.
• 91 percent of consumers want to eat healthily.
• More than half respondents pay attention to sugar and fat content when shopping.
• 81 percent of respondents want a state label for animal welfare.
• 84 percent of respondents want a reduction in food waste.
• 36 percent pay attention to the calories in their diet.
• For 32 percent of the respondents, the price is the most important.

(Vb)