Nutrition policy and food safety was and still is an important subject of consumer policy in Germany. Consumer organisations provided information to consume on healthy, balanced and "right" nutrition. And they tried to improve legal standards and public control to protect the consumer. The present state of nutrition policy and behaviour of consumers, however, shows a mixed picture. Two trends will be discussed: The trend to spend only a small part of the househould budget for nutrition on the one hand and the trend to ask for a new food quality which includes food safety but also environmental, animal welfare and social aspects on the other hand.

Perspectives of an new nutrition policy in Germany must recognise the need for a comprehensive approach. This includes changes in agricultural policy, in cultural policy and the curricula of kindergartens and schools. Nutrition policy should be a part of a preventive health policy and of regional policies to develop rural areas, to protect the natural heritage and landscape and to create local employment. The present system of labelling an informationto consumers as well as competition law an commercial advertising has to be renewed. Consumers should have a fair chance to make healthy and well informed choices and to choose in accordance with their special preferences, e.g. concerning GMOs, animal welfare and environmental aspects.

To change nutrition policy in Germany consumer organisations and experts have to analyse the reasons for their failure in the past. A more interdisciplinary and more political approach is needed. There is a need to focus on relevant aspects for consumers instead of increasing information and regulation. Some elements of this new  nutrition policy formulated by the Federation of German Consumers will be presented. The objective will be to establish a new network of actors for a new nutrition policy beyond the many existing experts forums at the national, the European and international level.