As a company that reaches tables all over Serbia every day, Lidl recognizes the responsibility it has. That is why, as part of its sustainability strategy, it advocates conscious nutrition - one that is better for both humans and nature.
THREE PILLARS OF CONSCIOUS NUTRITION
Lidl builds this strategy on three principles: healthier food, more sustainable food and transparency and consumer empowerment. At the base of everything is safe and quality food.
HEALTHIER NUTRITION MORE PLANTS, LESS SUGAR AND ADDITIVES
Abstinence is the first association with healthy eating. It doesn't have to be like that, on the contrary – it means more choices that do us good.
That's why Lidl is gradually reducing the amount of sugar and salt in the products of its brands, without the use of sweeteners, so that we can all slowly get used to a more natural taste of food. The focus is on:
• More plant-based, whole-grain, fiber-rich products, which support gut health and may reduce the risk of diabetes.
• Replace saturated fats with healthy vegetable oils rich in omega-3 acids, which protect the heart.
• Natural ingredients instead of artificial additives - for example, beetroot as a natural colorant instead of artificial colors.
For the youngest, Lidl recognizes the responsibility in forming healthy habits - by avoiding packaging that would be attractive to children on products with a high content of sugar, fat or salt.
MORE SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE PLANET, TOO
Food is not just a personal thing - the way we choose, produce and transport it has a huge impact on the environment.
That's why Lidl gives the advantage:
• Vegetable proteins - with the constant expansion of veggie and vegan offers. The goal is to increase sales of vegetable proteins by 2030% by 20.
• Seasonal and local products - more than 800 products in the assortment come from Serbia. This reduces CO₂ emissions and strengthens the local economy.
• Reduction of food waste - through smart ordering systems, discounts on products before the expiration date and consumer education on planning and storing food.
TRANSPARENCY AND CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE MEANS POWER
Lidl believes that an informed consumer makes better decisions. That's why the products carry clear markings and certificates that help to make it easier to choose what is really good in the sea of offers.
• Nutri-Score system - a simple scale from A to E helps to recognize the nutritional value of the product at a glance.
• Reducing the use of pesticides - Lidl sets stricter standards than European regulations, especially when it comes to pesticide residues on products.
• Certificates such as MSC, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance - guarantee that the products came from a system that respects nature and workers' rights.
• Food safety - Lidl cooperates only with certified suppliers who meet the highest standards in food production, in order to ensure product quality and safety.
FOOD HAS POWER TO CHANGE BOTH US AND THE WORLD AROUND US
Our daily habits - what we put in the basket, how we cook, what we save for tomorrow - are part of the common fight to preserve the planet. In a world where almost a third of the food produced is thrown away annually, while at the same time millions are starving or living with the consequences of an unhealthy diet(1), conscious consumption is not just a personal decision - it is a collective step towards a better tomorrow.
With its business, Lidl shows that it is possible to combine affordability, quality and responsibility - and thus help us all to be part of that change.
Source:
(1)FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - State of Food and Agriculture 2011
