Østre Landsret to rule on vegan hospital diet rights

The Østre Landsret is set to rule on a legal case regarding the right to a specialized diet for vegans in hospitals. The Danish Vegetarian Association (Dansk Vegetarisk Forening) filed the lawsuit on behalf of a vegan woman against Region Hovedstaden.

The case stems from two hospital stays at Hvidovre Hospital in 2020. While the woman was provided with meals consisting of rice, root vegetables, and crispbread, she contends that the food was not sufficiently nutritious. The Danish Vegetarian Association argues that the meals served constitute discrimination and a violation of human rights.

A lower court in Hillerød previously acquitted the region, finding no evidence of discrimination and noting that the woman had the opportunity to supplement her own diet. If the High Court upholds the previous ruling, the Danish Vegetarian Association has indicated it will appeal to the Supreme Court.