Paderborn University nutrition expert joins national call to support plant-based food innovation

Germany’s leading food and agriculture advisory body has urged the federal government to ramp up its support for alternative proteins, in a move that could help shift consumer diets and encourage innovation. Among the experts behind the recommendations is Professor Dr Anette Buyken, a nutrition scientist at Paderborn University, who helped shape the new report from the Scientific Advisory Board on Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection (WBAE).

Submitted to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs, the report outlines a series of policy proposals aimed at creating a more supportive environment for plant-based and other animal-free products, such as pea-based schnitzels and oat drinks. These measures include better labeling, a more favorable tax regime, and clearer nutritional guidance.

“Alternative products are likely to offer a cost-effective lever with positive sustainability effects on the entire food system,” said Professor Buyken, who leads the Public Health Nutrition group at Paderborn University.

The report notes that cutting back on red meat and processed meats has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Alternative products could support this shift, not only by helping reduce meat intake, but also by offering substitutes for dairy. According to the advisory council, these products are generally healthier and more sustainable – although this varies significantly depending on the specific ingredients and formulations.

To help consumers make informed choices, the WBAE recommends expanding the use of health labels like Nutri-Score and making such systems mandatory wherever feasible. “This is why a clearly recognisable health assessment on the packaging is important,” said Professor Buyken. These tools, she added, can help steer consumers toward products with better nutritional profiles in terms of salt, sugar, fat, fiber, and calorie content.

Tax policy also came under scrutiny in the report. Currently, alternative products are still subject to the full VAT rate of 19%, unlike many animal-based foods which benefit from a reduced rate. The WBAE argues that this constitutes a form of tax discrimination and should be reformed.

“In our view, alternative products are particularly attractive because consumers can consume them without having to fundamentally change their dietary behavior,” said Prof Buyken. She highlighted the council’s '3-R' strategy – Reduce, Remix, Replace – as a flexible framework to help people gradually shift away from animal products. The idea is to eat smaller portions of meat and dairy ('Reduce'), combine them with plant-based options ('Remix'), or swap them entirely for alternatives ('Replace').

However, the council also flagged nutritional challenges that may arise from such a shift. In particular, it cautioned that reducing animal product consumption could lead to deficiencies in key micronutrients such as iron, calcium, and iodine – especially in children and teenagers. “For example, the consumption of milk and dairy products by children and adolescents is important for an adequate calcium intake,” noted Professor Buyken. “If they cannot or do not want to consume these products, it is very important that they use fortified milk alternatives.”

Beyond health considerations, the WBAE report also examines the broader implications of alternative proteins – from environmental and animal welfare benefits to their potential social and economic impact. The council concludes that plant-based and other alternative products can play a significant role in making Germany’s agricultural and food systems more sustainable. The report encourages the government to actively support new technologies in this space, helping to unlock benefits not only for consumers, but also for the food industry and farmers.

“Alternative products expand the range of products on offer and thus open up a new way to protect the environment and animals, strengthen social coexistence and create more choice at the table,” the report states.

The full expert report is available on the Federal Ministry’s website