Retailer Lidl has announced plans to align its product range with the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) by 2050, in an initiative developed with the support of the WWF network and coordinated by WWF Switzerland.
The PHD was developed in 2019 as part of the EAT-Lancet Commission, and provides the blueprint for a global dietary transformation that will enable an expected global population of 10 billion people by 2050 to eat healthily, and within planetary boundaries.
As part of its commitment, Lidl will seek to bolster food transparency across all categories in its stores, located in 31 countries. The aim is to enable customers to ‘make more environmentally conscious and healthier choices’, it noted.
To address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and diet-related health issues, Lidl’s strategy includes increasing the availability of plant-based proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as significantly increasing its plant-based offerings by the end of the decade.
‘Global change in diet’
“In order to provide a growing population with healthy nutrition within planetary boundaries, a global change in diet is necessary,” commented Christoph Graf, head of purchasing at Lidl Dienstleistung GmbH & Co. KG. “Alongside the WWF network, we will do even more in the future to offer our customers a constantly growing selection of healthy, more sustainable alternatives at the usual low Lidl price.”
Other initiatives announced by the retailer include increasing the proportion of whole grain in relation to total grain in its range to 20% by 2030, and expanding the range of fruit and vegetable products on sale in its stores.
‘A crucial step’
“We welcome Lidl’s pursuit of the goals of the Planetary Health Diet,” added Mariella Meyer, WWF Switzerland.
“This is a crucial step towards transforming the food system, one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. By focusing on plant-based products, Lidl is putting the emphasis on the health of people and the planet.” Read more here.
