Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung

What Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung does

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e.V. (DGE), headquartered in Bonn, Germany, is a registered nonprofit scientific professional society (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1953 that operates as Germany's official authority on nutrition science. It serves nutrition professionals (dietitians, nutrition scientists, nutritional therapists), institutional food-service operators across healthcare, education, senior care, and corporate catering, the federal government (notably BMELH under the IN FORM initiative), and the general public. The organization generates revenue through a diversified mix of membership fees, professional seminars and certificate programs, publication sales via DGE-MedienService, recurring certification services (DGE-Qualitätsstandards, DGE-VerpflegungsCheck), and government project funding. Its core technology assets include DGExpert, a Windows-based nutritional calculation tool for counseling and communal catering, and the DGE-VerpflegungsCheck, a digital assessment and certification platform launched in September 2025 to replace or supplement the traditional audit-based certification model.

DGE's product portfolio centers on evidence-based nutritional science outputs: nutrient reference values (jointly published with the Austrian Society for Nutrition), food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG 'Gut essen und trinken'), the visual DGE-Ernährungskreis (food circle), evidence-based dietary guidelines (DGE-Leitlinien for carbohydrates, fat, protein), and periodic DGE-Ernährungsberichte (the 16th edition is the most recent referenced). Distribution operates through 16 regional Sektionen and multiple Vernetzungsstellen, an annual scientific congress (63rd in Kassel in 2026), the DGEwissen magazine, an active podcast ('Wie wollen wir essen?'), and a multi-platform social media presence. The organization is governed by a newly elected Scientific Presidency (Prof. Dr. Britta Renner as President since 24 September 2025) and led operationally by Managing Director Dr. Kiran Virmani.

Its GTM motion is sales-led and centered on professional credibility: outreach to nutrition professionals, healthcare providers, and public institutions through conferences, certification audits, and training programs, with a hybrid B2B/B2B2C structure that monetizes professional certification, institutional certification, and direct publication sales. The LQW (Lernerorientierte Qualitätstestierung) learner-oriented quality certification has been successfully completed four times by the continuing education department, most recently in 2025, underscoring operational quality assurance. DGE holds an official mandate from the federal government to produce nutrition reports, which functions as both a regulatory anchor and the primary justification for BMELH project funding.

Name

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung

Legal name

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e.V.

Website

https://dge.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nutrition Science and Public Health Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Safety Certification Bodies (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, SQF) (AFALAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dietary/Functional Claim Substantiation (e.g., high-protein, low-sugar, keto, low-FODMAP) (AFALAHAE), Label Artwork/Regulatory Review & Compliance Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA; format, allergens, QUID) (AFALAHAL), General Nutrition Coaching (HSADAFAA)

Keywords

• Nutrition science guidelines
• Dietary reference values
• Communal catering certification
• Nutrition professional training
• Public health nutrition

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for nutrition professionals and institutional members
2. Seminare und Qualifizierung: Professional training seminars, certificate programs for nutrition advisors, and continuing education for nutrition professionals
3. Publikationen und Medien: Sale of publications including the scientific magazine DGEwissen, brochures, guidelines, and reference value folders through DGE-MedienService
4. Zertifizierung: Certification services for communal catering facilities including DGE-Qualitätsstandards certification and DGE-VerpflegungsCheck
5. Government Project Funding: Project funding from BMELH (Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat) for initiatives like IN FORM and quality improvement in communal catering

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e.V. (DGE) is Germany's leading scientific nutrition society, developing evidence-based dietary reference values, food-based dietary guidelines, and clinical nutrition guidelines. It certifies communal catering facilities against DGE-Qualitätsstandards, runs the digital DGE-VerpflegungsCheck self-assessment tool, sells the DGExpert nutritional calculation software, and offers certificate programs and seminars for nutrition advisors and hygiene officers. It also publishes the DGEwissen scientific magazine, periodic DGE-Ernährungsberichte, and a media shop of brochures, factsheets and reference materials.

Product overview

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE) offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services centered on nutritional science, public health nutrition, and professional education in Germany. The core offerings include DGExpert (Windows-based nutritional calculation software for professionals) and the DGE-VerpflegungsCheck (digital assessment tool for community catering). DGE provides quality standards and certification programs for community catering facilities (DGE-Qualitätsstandards, DGE-Zertifizierung), evidence-based dietary guidelines (DGE-Leitlinien, DGE-Empfehlungen), and reference values for nutrient intake (Referenzwerte). Professional education includes certificate programs for nutrition counselors (Ernährungsberater*in/DGE) and hygiene officers, along with seminars and training courses. DGE publishes scientific literature including the DGEwissen magazine, DGE nutrition reports, and various educational materials (factsheets, infotheks, brochures) available through the DGE-MedienShop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DGEwissen: The DGE's scientific magazine featuring articles on nutrition science, research updates, and professional content for nutrition consultants and scientists.
• DGExpert
• DGE-VerpflegungsCheck
• DGE-Qualitätsstandards

Products and services

• DGExpert - Nährwertberechnungsprogramm Windows desktop software for nutrition counselors and community catering professionals to calculate and analyze nutritional values of meals and diets.
• DGE-VerpflegungsCheck Digital online assessment and certification tool for communal catering facilities (Kitas, schools, businesses, universities, care facilities, caterers) to evaluate and certify healthy and sustainable food provision.
• DGE-Qualitätsstandards Quality standards defining requirements for healthy and sustainable catering in Kitas, schools, businesses, clinics, and senior facilities.
• DGE-Zertifizierung (Certification Program) Certification program for community catering facilities that assesses and recognizes adherence to DGE quality standards for health-promoting and sustainable nutrition.
• Zertifikatslehrgang Ernährungsberater*in/DGE Certificate training program qualifying nutrition counselors based on the updated 2024/2025 curriculum, leading to the DGE-certified nutrition advisor credential.
• Zertifikatslehrgang Hygienebeauftragte*r in der Gemeinschaftsverpflegung/DGE Certificate program training hygiene officers for community catering operations.
• DGEwissen - Wissenschaftsmagazin Quarterly scientific magazine covering current nutrition science research topics including eating disorders, microbiome, and obesity for nutrition consultants and scientists.
• Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr Reference values for nutrient intake covering energy, nutrients, water, fiber, and alcohol, published jointly with the Austrian Society for Nutrition (ÖGE).
• DGE-Leitlinien (Clinical Guidelines) Evidence-based dietary guidelines on carbohydrates, fat, and protein developed using systematic methodology.
• DGE-Ernährungsberichte Periodic comprehensive nutrition reports analyzing and evaluating the nutrition situation in Germany.
• DGE-Empfehlungen "Gut essen und trinken" (Food-Based Dietary Recommendations) Food-based dietary recommendations for healthy and sustainable eating in Germany, accompanied by the DGE-Ernährungskreis visual food guide.
• DGE-Fachberatung (Expert Consulting) Expert consulting services supporting community catering facilities in implementing health-promoting and sustainable nutrition practices.
• Seminare für die Gemeinschaftsgastronomie Seminars for community catering professionals covering nutrition, hygiene, and management topics, offered annually with registration via the event lab. GmbH platform.
• DGE-MedienShop Online shop selling DGE publications including brochures, factsheets, infotheks on topics like osteoporosis, constipation, celiac disease, and condition-specific nutrition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mathematical optimization model considering health, environment, and consumption patterns for dietary guidelines
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IN FORM - Deutschlands Initiative für gesunde Ernährung und mehr BewegungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIN FORM is Germany's initiative for healthy nutrition and more physical activity, funded by BMELH (Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture). DGE implements projects within this initiative including FitKid, Schule+Essen=Note 1, Job & Fit, Station Ernährung, and Fit im Alter. These projects promote healthy eating in daycare, schools, workplaces, and elderly care facilities.
• Special Olympics Deutschland (SOD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDGE collaborated with SOD to develop and update easy language fact sheets on food-based dietary recommendations covering topics like water, legumes, fruits and vegetables, fiber, and alcohol.
• Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (ÖGE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint publication of Reference Values for Nutrient Intake (Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr), 3rd edition 2025. Collaborative updates of reference values for iodine, vitamin E, and zinc.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• British Nutrition Foundation (BNF): UK-based independent scientific nutrition charity that produces evidence-based nutrition information, runs education programs, and engages with government and food industry stakeholders. Directly comparable to DGE in mission, structure (nonprofit scientific body), and product portfolio (reference values, education, public guidance).
• American Society for Nutrition (ASN): US-based scientific society for nutrition research and practice. Comparable to DGE as a peer scientific society issuing journals, conferences, and professional credentials, and as a recognized authority in national nutrition policy.
• Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (ÖGE): Austrian scientific society for nutrition and DGE's explicit collaboration partner on the joint Reference Values publication. Same mission and structure, operating in the adjacent German-speaking market.
• Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (SGE): Swiss scientific nutrition society producing food-based dietary guidelines and public-facing nutrition information. Closely comparable to DGE in mandate and offerings, and a natural candidate for DACH-region partnership or expansion.
• The Nutrition Society (UK): UK learned society for nutrition science with membership, journals, and conferences. Comparable to DGE as a national scientific society that engages in professional certification, publishing, and policy advisory work.

Broad incumbents

• European Food Information Council (EUFIC): Pan-European nonprofit providing science-based nutrition and food safety communication to consumers and professionals. Comparable to DGE's information and education mandate but operating at a broader European level.
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: US professional association for registered dietitians and nutrition professionals. Comparable to DGE's professional certification and continuing education portfolio, especially the Ernährungsberater*in/DGE certificate pathway.
• Max Rubner-Institut (MRI): German federal research institute for nutrition and food, a peer scientific authority within Germany's nutrition ecosystem. Comparable to DGE's scientific mandate and a likely collaboration counterpart on national nutrition reports.
• International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI Europe): International scientific organization funding and publishing nutrition and food safety research. Comparable to DGE's scientific publication and guideline-development work, but with industry-funded and global scope.

Emerging players

• International Food Information Council (IFIC): US-based nonprofit communicating food and nutrition science to consumers and professionals. Comparable to DGE's public-information role and a relevant peer for benchmarking consumer-engagement and digital content strategies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dge_wissen
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsche-gesellschaft-f%C3%BCr-ern%C3%A4hrung-e.-v.
• Instagraminstagram.com/dge_wissen_de
• Xx.com/dge_wissen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung