Image: VOLKER Weihbold
In Austria, around 2.2 million meals are served every day in the canteen kitchens of company canteens, hospitals and schools. As of September 1st, the operators will have to mark the primary ingredients milk, eggs and meat with a designation of origin by a regulation of the Federal Government. “It is important for consumers to know where their food comes from,” said Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) at a press conference yesterday at the State Service Center (LDZ).
The ordinance, which was announced on March 16, allows labeling by percentages (e.g. “70 percent from Austria”) or up-to-date information. According to the responsible state councilor Stefan Kaineder (Greens), large canteens are currently being advised on implementation.
The canteen of the LDZ provides empirical values for the country. Since 2019, the origin of food has been shown on the menu there. According to Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP), efforts are being made to use regional ingredients. The 14 tons of beef, pork and lamb for the around 250,000 dishes served annually come almost entirely from Austria, and the eggs are also 100 percent from the Mühlviertel.
Discussions for gastro are ongoing
Rauch was confident that the regulation would be extended to the entire catering trade. Discussions are being held with all those involved, and a solution can be expected this year. “However, I don’t want to cackle about unlaid eggs,” said the Minister of Health.
In a press release, the Upper Austrian Farmers’ Association describes the canteen kitchen regulation as “a further step towards transparency and regionality”. Michaela Langer-Weninger, chairwoman of the Farmers’ Union and Minister for Agriculture, is quoted as saying that “more enthusiasm” is also needed on the EU side for the topic of regionality, which Brussels “neglects”.
Source: Nachrichten
