Court Throws Out Case Claiming Patient’s Rights Were Violated for Not Getting Vegan Food

On Thursday, a Danish court in Copenhagen ruled against a claim that a patient’s rights were violated due to inadequate vegan meals provided by a hospital during her stay four years ago. The Vegetarian Society of Denmark had filed the lawsuit on behalf of Mette Rasmussen, arguing that her dietary choices, protected under the European Court of Human Rights, were not respected, leading to discrimination.

The court, located in Hilleroed determined that Rasmussen had the means to obtain vegan food either through personal arrangements or from a hospital shop. The ruling stated, “In the court’s view, the woman had not been prevented from eating vegan food during her hospitalization.”

Rasmussen, who was hospitalized at Hvidovre Hospital in connection with her pregnancy, expressed her disappointment through the Vegetarian Society of Denmark, highlighting that her meals consisted only of “dry white rice, baked carrots, celery, and boiled potatoes.” She has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision.

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