D
DannyDeVito
Guest
You have to love the Italians. Children comes first and then being politically correct.
New draft legislation proposed by the Italian government could see parents imprisoned for feeding their children a vegan diet. Those legally responsible for under-16s who display signs of malnutrition resulting in illness or long-term health problems could be sentenced for up to four years.
A member of of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party, Elvira Savino, is pushing the government to approve the law following several high-profile cases in the country.
“For some years the belief has been spreading in Italy that a vegetarian diet, even in the rigid form of a vegan diet, results in significant health benefits,” Savino said. “There can be no objection if the person making this choice is an informed adult. A problem arises when minors are involved."
In four cases over the last 18 months, malnourished children were hospitalized after being fed a vegan diet.
In July, a 14-month-old baby was taken to hospital in Milan by his grandparents, weighing only slightly more than a 3-month-old, independent European news website The Local reported. Calcium deficiency resulting from a vegan diet was cited as the reason for the baby’s severely stunted growth.
The head pediatrician at the Milan hospital said that any children being raised on a vegan diet should be given supplements, particularly iron and calcium. Around 2.8 percent of the Italian population are vegan.
The Vegan Society, a U.K.-based organization promoting veganism, argues that the proposed Italian law is unnecessary.
“This [the Milan] case in Italy is an isolated incident and in no way gives an accurate representation of the health effects of a vegan diet. Malnutrition unfortunately is not uncommon— it affects over 3 million people in the U.K.
The reason this story made headlines is due to misunderstanding about the vegan diet,” a spokesperson tells Newsweek.
“According to the British Dietetic Association, vegan diets are suitable for any age and life-stage and include everything needed for optimal health,” the spokesperson adds.
https://www.newsweek.com/italy-could-imprison-parents-who-impose-veganism-their-children-488687
New draft legislation proposed by the Italian government could see parents imprisoned for feeding their children a vegan diet. Those legally responsible for under-16s who display signs of malnutrition resulting in illness or long-term health problems could be sentenced for up to four years.
A member of of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party, Elvira Savino, is pushing the government to approve the law following several high-profile cases in the country.
“For some years the belief has been spreading in Italy that a vegetarian diet, even in the rigid form of a vegan diet, results in significant health benefits,” Savino said. “There can be no objection if the person making this choice is an informed adult. A problem arises when minors are involved."
In four cases over the last 18 months, malnourished children were hospitalized after being fed a vegan diet.
In July, a 14-month-old baby was taken to hospital in Milan by his grandparents, weighing only slightly more than a 3-month-old, independent European news website The Local reported. Calcium deficiency resulting from a vegan diet was cited as the reason for the baby’s severely stunted growth.
The head pediatrician at the Milan hospital said that any children being raised on a vegan diet should be given supplements, particularly iron and calcium. Around 2.8 percent of the Italian population are vegan.
The Vegan Society, a U.K.-based organization promoting veganism, argues that the proposed Italian law is unnecessary.
“This [the Milan] case in Italy is an isolated incident and in no way gives an accurate representation of the health effects of a vegan diet. Malnutrition unfortunately is not uncommon— it affects over 3 million people in the U.K.
The reason this story made headlines is due to misunderstanding about the vegan diet,” a spokesperson tells Newsweek.
“According to the British Dietetic Association, vegan diets are suitable for any age and life-stage and include everything needed for optimal health,” the spokesperson adds.
https://www.newsweek.com/italy-could-imprison-parents-who-impose-veganism-their-children-488687
