The discounter ALDI Süd wants to adapt the recipes of its children's products such as yoghurts, drinks or cereals to the guidelines of the World Health Organization by the end of 2025.
Munich – This time it's not the fault of the Greens.
The eco-party is known across the country as a dogmatic pioneer when it comes to healthy eating, veggie days in schools and canteens and eating less meat.
But this time it is not green politicians, but the discounter Aldi Süd itself, which is on the way to healthier nutrition for children and young people.
Apparently the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for healthy eating caught the eye of the retailer.
The nutrient profiles of the WHO evaluate foods based on their nutritional composition.
The proportions of fat, sugar and salt as well as the calorie content and added sweeteners are examined and evaluated from a nutritional psychological point of view.
The discounter now wants to adapt the recipes of its products for children - including yoghurts, drinks and cereals - to these guidelines by the end of 2025.
The discounter is
now reporting this at the request of the
dpa .
According to the WHO, only appropriate products should also be marketed to children.
Most products on the market, on the other hand, are too sweet, too fatty and too salty for children.
Competitor Lidl had already announced at the beginning of the week that it would no longer advertise unhealthy children's food such as sugary yoghurts and drinks from March 1st.
There should be exceptions for promotional items for Christmas, Easter or Halloween - for example for chocolate Santa Clauses or Easter bunnies.
In addition, the discounter wants to offer only healthy food for children in attractive packaging by 2025.
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Many children and young people are overweight.
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© Thomas Trutschel/imago
Too sweet, too fat, too salty: Many children in Germany are overweight
According to scientific studies, around 15 percent of children and young people in Germany are currently overweight and six percent are even severely overweight, a serious problem (obesity).
The Ministry of Health speaks of a serious problem that can lead to diseases such as type 2 diabetes, joint problems, high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
Depression could also occur.
Because obesity developed in childhood is often maintained throughout life.
The official reason for being overweight is usually a lack of exercise.
A study by the consumer organization Foodwatch has now apparently set things in motion and at least caused a rethink in retail.
The study came to the conclusion: too much sugar, fat and salt in products for children.
Some grocers may not want to sit there, or simply use the result as a clever marketing tool to attract children as consumers at an early age.
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List of rubrics: © Marcel Kusch/dpa