As the years go by, the world of vegetarian and vegan gain more ground in the world. There are many people who have joined this new diet, but there are also many others who do not believe in this way of eating. It is there, where the debate is generated between those who do not eat products of animal origin and those who do. But this time, the controversy originated from the decision a mayor of France, who now imposed a menu without meat and its derivatives in the schools of his city.
Within the new protocol, a distance of two meters is required in school canteens. The unique menu that will be offered will allow the school authorities to expedite the service and thus welcome all students safely.
What is the reason for imposing this menu?
The mayor in question is Gregory Doucet, in charge of aedile of Lyon, the third most important city in France. His decision has been to order that starting this Monday all public school students will have a single lunch option: a meat-free menu.
The reason Doucet removed meat from dishes is due to “health issues” because, with the Covid-19 attacking heavily in said country, they need to serve food quickly. And meals with meats often take longer than those with vegetables.
Although the mayor assures that it has nothing to do with “ideological thoughts” his explanation did not serve to calm the controversy. On the social network Twitter, the French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, denounced “an unacceptable insult to French farmers and butchers.”
On the other hand, the French Minister of Agriculture, Julien Denormandie, also exclaimed his criticism on Twitter. He made his thoughts known by saying: “Enough of putting ideology on our children’s plates! Let’s just give them what they need to grow well. Meat is part of that.”
Faced with the rain of criticism, the mayor of Lyon reacted and recalled on his social networks that the same decision was made last year during the first wave of coronavirus. And in this way they could streamline meal options in schools.
Choose to eat vegetarian food and take care of the planet © Mitja Kobal / Greenpeace
It is not a vegan menu
Grégory Doucet clarified that it was not a vegan menu, since the fish and the egg will remain on the plates in the school plates and they will take care that it is balanced for all the children.
This is something that nutritionists also support, who indicate that a vegetarian diet is safe for the development of children. But they need to make sure they include sufficient amounts of protein, iron, and other minerals.