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December 28, 2021 – 8:47 am Clock
Higher food prices against obesity
The new Federal Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, complained in an interview that too many people in Germany eat unhealthily and are too fat as a result. He wants to change that – among other things with higher food prices.
Too many overweight people in Germany
Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir is planning stricter requirements for finished products so that people can eat more healthily. “Germany’s diet is generally too unhealthy,” complained the Green politician in “Bild am Sonntag”. Over 50 percent of adults are overweight. “The reason for this is too much sugar, fat and salt, especially in convenience foods,” he said.
“Politicians have tried for too long to motivate the industry to reduce these ingredients with voluntary commitments. That is over now. With me there will be binding reduction targets,” Özdemir made clear.
Cem Özdemir: “A good engine oil is more important to us than a good salad oil”
From Özdemir’s point of view, the prices for food and agricultural products must also rise. “There must be no more junk prices for food, they are driving farms into ruin, preventing more animal welfare, promoting species extinction and polluting the climate. I want to change that,” said the Green politician. He wanted people in Germany to appreciate their food as much as their cars. “Sometimes I have the feeling that a good engine oil is more important to us than a good salad oil,” criticized the minister. Food is not likely to become a luxury good. “But the price has to express the ecological truth more strongly,” said Özdemir.
The Minister of Agriculture is also aiming to expand the area of ecologically cultivated fields by 2030 from currently almost 10 to 30 percent and “use the state’s buying power”: The catering in public facilities should be converted to more regional and organic products. “The state must be a role model.” (dpa / lra)