Copenhagen nursing homes face criticism over beef restrictions

A report by BDO has revealed that some nursing homes in Copenhagen have denied residents' requests for beef, specifically for birthday meals, in order to meet climate goals. The city's nutritional guidelines aim to reduce the carbon footprint of meals by limiting the consumption of beef, veal, and lamb to a maximum of 80 grams per week.

While the city maintains these are guidelines rather than a formal ban, staff members admitted to rejecting beef requests to maintain the required CO2 balance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized these practices, stating that seniors should have the right to decide what they eat.

Data from the analysis showed that while warm meat meals were served approximately 18.5 times in a 28-day period, beef was served only about twice during that same timeframe.