As the first food retailer, we create transparency across our assortment in all 31 Lidl countries with stores, in line with the Planetary Health Diet (PHD).* This scientifically based dietary model links health and environmental protection through a more plant-based diet.
Conscious Nutrition
Empowering Conscious Choices for a Sustainable Future
What ends up on our plates every day influences not only our wellbeing, but also our collective environmental impact. With our “Conscious Nutrition” strategy, we shape our assortment and communication to make healthy and sustainable choices easier.
A Colourful Basket for a Conscious Diet
A colourful shopping basket: filled with crisp apples, fresh tomatoes, wholegrain pasta, herbs, nuts, and lentils. These products show how simple healthy and sustainable shopping can be. The way we eat has an impact far beyond our plates. Around one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by food production (Nature Food 2021), particularly through animal-based products, which require significant resources. Water consumption, land use, and biodiversity loss are also closely linked to global food systems. Making more conscious choices can make a real difference.
Today, more than 770 million people worldwide live with obesity, and diet-related diseases are among the leading causes of death. At the same time, eating habits do not change overnight. Daily life is busy, habits are deeply ingrained, and navigating nutritional information can be overwhelming.
Lidl Takes Responsibility: Our “Conscious Nutrition” Strategy
As one of the largest food retailers, we recognise our responsibility and aim to make access to healthy, balanced nutrition as simple as possible. Our “Conscious Nutrition” strategy promotes plant-based alternatives, raises awareness of balanced diets, and makes it easier to make lower-impact choices in everyday life. At the same time, our customers always retain full freedom of choice. Our overarching goal is to make Lidl the first choice for conscious nutrition.
"For us, responsibility means making the choice for a conscious lifestyle as easy as possible. We are aligning our global assortment to ensure that healthy and sustainable shopping becomes a natural part of everyday life—without compromising on price or quality. This is how we make Lidl the first choice for a sustainable diet within planetary boundaries."
SH
Stefan Haensel
Head of Quality and Sustainability in Purchasing at Lidl International
How We Put Strategy Into Practice
*** In addition, by 2026 we will adapt our assortment so that all food products with packaging designed to appeal to children meet the WHO’s nutritional criteria alongside Lidl’s additional standards.
**** Seasonal promotional items for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are excluded.
**** Seasonal promotional items for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are excluded.
Partnering for Long-Term Transformation
To achieve these goals, we rely on strong strategic partnerships, such as our collaboration with WWF. Looking ahead to 2050, we are committed to continuously expanding our range of plant-based foods in line with the Planetary Health Diet, advocating a predominantly plant-based diet in response to global population growth.
The WWF methodology supports us in systematically analysing the ratio of plant-based to animal-based protein sources in our assortment, developing our portfolio towards a target ratio of 60% plant-based to 40% animal-based protein sources. This initiative benefits the health of our customers while helping protect valuable ecosystems and natural habitats from deforestation.
Based on the 2023 baseline year; in line with the PHD: legumes, nuts, seeds, wholegrains, fruit, and vegetables; excluding potatoes (starchy vegetables).
*** WHO criteria are based on the WHO Nutrient Profile Model, setting nutrient thresholds for total fat, total sugar, saturated fats, added sugars, sweeteners, salt, and energy density.
**** Lidl’s additional criteria include specific restrictions on the use of additives, flavourings, and colourings.