Healthy cuisine: More and more companies are relying on plant-based nutrition!

Healthy cuisine: More and more companies are relying on plant-based nutrition!

More and more companies in Carinthia are focusing on healthy nutrition! 72 facilities, including schools and retirement homes, are already taking part in the state’s voluntary “Healthy Kitchen” quality seal program. This initiative requires participants to reduce meat consumption and to use more plant-based, regional and seasonal foods. Last year, six new members were added who are committed to health-conscious food provision ORF Carinthia reported. Sabine Wurzer, dietitian and head of health promotion, emphasizes that the demands on companies have increased: In addition to the classic nutritional recommendations, environmental aspects are now also included in the nutritional criteria. An innovative step that focuses on vegetables, fruits and plant-based foods instead of pure meat.

But the challenges for the food industry are enormous! Despite the difficulties due to the availability of agricultural raw materials and extremely high energy prices, sales were kept stable in 2023. According to reports from the Federal Association of the German Food Industry (BVE), the price level in Germany is 6.5 percent above the EU average. Despite shrinking real wages and inflation-related consumer behavior, the industry remains robust from a supply perspective as it guarantees the basic supply of high-quality food. However, the cost pressure due to rising raw material and logistics prices is putting manufacturers under pressure, which also affects their ability to innovate BMWK emphasized.

Health and sustainability in focus

Changing lifestyles and a growing awareness of health and sustainability are driving the food industry to constantly reinvent itself. Consumers are increasingly demanding more health-conscious and sustainable products, which is forcing the industry to develop innovative solutions. The federal government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, is striving to strengthen the competitiveness of this important industry and to create long-term, sustainable framework conditions.