Germany’s fruit and vegetable intake trails health recommendations

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) advises a daily intake of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables, totalling roughly 606 g per person. National data show that in 2022 Germans consumed 111 kg of vegetables and 69 kg of fruit per capita per year, well below the target. Consumption of certain vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and legumes has risen, but overall intake remains insufficient, and the recommended levels are far from being met.

A separate analysis of child nutrition reveals that only 35 % of German children eat fruit and vegetables every day, while just 7 % follow a meat‑free diet. Childhood obesity rates have climbed from 12 % in 2003 to 20 % in 2023. School‑based programmes like “Acker” and “Klasse2000” are attempting to improve habits, reaching hundreds of thousands of children, but the gap persists. The growing supplement market, with sales near €3 billion in 2022, adds further pressure on families and policymakers to address dietary shortfalls.