Federal Government Advisory Council: Paderborn expert on key recommendations in the field of health

Schnitzel made from pea protein, oat drinks and the like: more and more alternatives to foods of animal origin can be found in supermarkets. But what opportunities do such products offer, how can they be integrated into the diet and how should the state support this development? The Scientific Advisory Board on Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection (WBAE) has now submitted a report to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs (BMLEH). In it, it recommends targeted measures to create an innovative research and development environment for alternative products. Advisory Board member Prof Dr Anette Buyken, a nutritionist at Paderborn University, focused in particular on the effects on physical health. "Alternative products are likely to offer a cost-effective lever with positive sustainability effects on the entire food system," she summarises.

More guidance needed

Eating less red meat and sausage products has been proven to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The alternatives can help with a corresponding change in diet and also with the reduction of dairy products. On average, the products are healthier and more environmentally friendly - but the report also shows that the specific advantages and disadvantages depend heavily on the respective alternative product and the nutrient composition. "This is why a clearly recognisable health assessment on the packaging is important," says Prof. Buyken, who heads the "Public Health Nutrition" group at Paderborn University. In its report, the WBAE therefore emphasises the benefits of labelling systems such as the Nutri-Score and recommends making it mandatory wherever possible. It can help consumers to select products with a more favourable composition of salt, sugar, fat, fibre and energy content.

More choice at the shared table

The Council is also in favour of ending the tax discrimination against alternative products. Unlike animal products, these are currently still subject to the full VAT rate of 19 per cent. "In our view, alternative products are particularly attractive because consumers can consume them without having to fundamentally change their dietary behaviour. In line with the 3-R strategy we have developed - Reduce, Remix, Replace - there are also various options for flexibly reducing the consumption of animal-based foods in a way that is suitable for everyday life," explains the Paderborn scientist. The strategy pursues the approach of consuming fewer meat and dairy products through smaller portion sizes ("Reduce"), combining them with plant-based or alternative ingredients ("Remix") or replacing them completely with alternatives ("Replace").

The supply of important micronutrients such as iron, calcium and iodine must always be taken into account. If the consumption of animal products is reduced in favour of a vegan diet, this can lead to an undersupply - with or without alternative products. "For example, the consumption of milk and dairy products by children and adolescents is important for an adequate calcium intake. If they cannot or do not want to consume these products, it is very important that they use fortified milk alternatives," adds Prof Buyken.

Utilising potential for consumers, agriculture and the food industry

In its report, the Council analyses not only the effects on physical health, but also the economic and social effects of alternative products as well as the effects on the environment and animal welfare, and examines the potential from the consumer perspective. As a result, it recommends that the German government specifically promote technologies in this field - as a building block of a future-oriented policy for more sustainable agricultural and food systems. After all, the members of the advisory board agree that alternative products expand the range of products on offer and thus open up a new way to protect the environment and animals, strengthen social coexistence and create more choice at the table.

To the expert report: https://www.bmel.de/DE/ministerium/organisation/beiraete/agr-veroeffentlichungen.html

This text was translated automatically.