Lidl GB first UK retailer to commit to 'more plants, less meat'

Lidl GB has become the first supermarket in the UK to publicly commit to increase the share of plants over meat & dairy in their protein offerings

The supermarket has committed to make 25% of the protein it sells as meat, poultry and fish plant-based by 2030. That’s up from 14% in 2021. 

It is also going to double the share of plant-based milk, cheese, butter and yogurt on its shelves by 2030.

Protein split targets are an essential tool to meet supermarkets' emissions targets, but Lidl GB is so far the only one in the UK to recognise this publicly.

“Make no mistake, setting targets like this is a game changer. We applaud Lidl for being the first supermarket in the UK to take this bold but essential step towards a more sustainable, healthy food offering. 

“All the solar panels and electric delivery vans in the world are of no use if supermarkets don’t also tackle the emissions from the products they sell, and shifting sales to more plants and less meat is the truly effective way of doing this. 

“We can legitimately call Lidl GB a pioneer in this country and we hope that they can ratchet up this target in the future to be more ambitious.

"It is notable that a discounter is publicly leading the way. All eyes will be on which supermarket will be the next to take the opportunity to offer more healthy, sustainable food.”

As is in painful evidence across the world, just committing to a target is not enough. But there are strong signs that Lidl GB is focused on achieving them.

The supermarket says it will take a number of steps to shift the dial.

It will display meat and dairy substitutes side by side with conventional products to help flexitarians make the healthier, more sustainable choice. It will also relaunch and expand its plant-based protein products portfolio to give choice to consumers.

The retailer also claims it will ensure competitive prices for plant-based products and pay particular attention to the nutritional value of these plant-based products to ensure they contain B12 and iron, and are high protein, low calorie and low fat.

As always with corporate commitments, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

But having seen the steps that Lidl has taken in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland to shift their offering, we are hopeful that the pudding will be increasingly healthier and more sustainable.