What the action involves and where implemented
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) developed various voluntary guidelines on quality standards for meals in specific settings as part of IN FORM - Germany’s initiative to promote healthy diets and more exercise. Core elements of the DGE quality standards are criteria for optimal food choices, the frequency of serving various food groups, and menu planning and preparation to optimise the nutrient content of the offered food. In all settings, rapeseed oil is the standard cooking oil, and water as well as unsweetened herbal or fruit teas are the recommended beverages.
For nurseries (age 0–6) (2009, revised in 2014), the guidelines prohibit drinks that are high in sugar, including juice and soft drinks as well as energy drinks. They contain a 20-day lunch plan suggesting serving whole grains on at least four days and potato products a maximum of four days; salad, vegetables or legumes each day; fruit at least eight times; dairy products (ideally low-fat) at least eight times; fish at least four times and meat at a maximum of eight times. To date, around one-third of all nurseries act in accordance with the DGE standard.
For canteens in the workplace, the guidelines (2008, revised in 2014) contain a five-day lunch plan suggesting serving whole grains at least once and potato products not more than once; salad, vegetables or legumes each day; fruit at least twice; dairy products (ideally low-fat) at least twice; fish at least once and meat at a maximum of two days.
For meals in hospitals (2011, revised in 2014), rehabilitation centres (2011, revised in 2014) and care homes for elderly (2009, revised in 2014), the guidelines contain a seven-day meal plan for three meals and according to requirements two additional snacks per day suggesting serving whole grains at least 14 times and potato products a maximum of two times; salad, vegetables or legumes three times each day; fruit two times each day; dairy products (ideally low-fat) at least two times a day; fish at least twice a week and meat at a maximum of three times a week.
For meals on wheels (2010, revised in 2014), a service providing meals for persons aged 65+ living in their own homes, the guidelines contain a seven-day lunch plan suggesting serving whole grains at least once and potato products no more than once; salad, vegetables or legumes each day; fruit three times; dairy products (ideally low-fat) at least three times; fish at least once a week and meat at a maximum of three times a week. The guidelines do not include recommendations for beverages, as they do not form part of the standard meal service (but will be provided upon request).
