To the kind attention of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Education and Merit and the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry
Dear Prime Minister,
Dear Ministers,
We, the undersigned health professionals, address this open letter to you to point out the need for regulatory intervention directed at increasing the quantity and improving the quality of plant-based options available in public canteens, including hospitals and schools. This request is motivated by the need to safeguard the Mediterranean diet, a Unesco intangible heritage, which in recent years is increasingly threatened by unhealthy eating styles, such as the consumption of foods high in added sugars, salt and fat, as well as the use of foods of animal origin in excess of what is required by the most recent nutritional guidelines.
This is precisely why the European Union, through its program for schools, supports the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in early childhood to encourage children to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle.
In addition, numerous studies show that a diet rich in plant foods is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of chronic diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO), as early as 2014, clearly highlighted the benefits of regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains in preventing cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
In 2017, a position paper by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU) points out that the evidence reviewed “makes it clear that well-planned vegetarian diets, which include a wide range of plant foods and a reliable source of vitamin B12, provide adequate nutritional intake. For Italians, a healthy and nutritionally balanced vegetarian diet can be achieved by choosing from the wide variety of plant foods traditionally consumed in Italy (cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, olive oil).”
The SINU itself in its June 2024 press release, following the national conference, stated that the revision of the LARNs ( the Reference Intake Levels of Nutrients and Energy for the Italian population) “marks a real cultural evolution, emphasizing the inclusion of plant versus animal protein in light of new evidence on mortality and sustainability of food production.”
In addition, a very recent umbrella review confirmed that plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer risk.
These diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Italy, and healthier diets in public canteens could play a crucial role in their prevention and also lead to savings in public spending.
As health professionals, we also remember that plant-based nutrition is an inclusive diet that meets the dietary needs of the entire population.
In addition to their health and environmental benefits, plant-based options meet increasingly widespread dietary needs. A large percentage of the Italian population, 72 percent, is lactose intolerant, a fact that should lead to a review of the school milk campaign, and, in addition, many people follow specific diets for health, ethical or religious reasons.
The inclusion of more nutritionally balanced plant options would ensure safe and accessible choices for everyone, respecting both health needs and personal preferences.
As professionals committed to public health protection, we urgently request that institutions take note of the need to introduce mandatory plant-based food options in public canteens. This change would improve the health of citizens and promote greater respect for dietary diversity.
Confident that such a measure can contribute positively to people’s health, we urge institutions to take responsible and timely action.
Trusting in your attention to these important requests, we look forward to your kind feedback and extend cordial greetings.
