A new Italian law could mean that parents who force vegan diets on their kids could face some time behind the bars.

The proposed legalisation has arisen after a a few high-profile cases where the children were malnourished due to being subject to poorly-constructed vegan diets. In July, a 14-month-old baby boy from Milan was rushed to hospital with severe calcium deficiency, and it was discovered he weighed only as much as a 3-month-old.  A judge decided to remove the boy from the care of his parents for forcing him on a diet that just wasn't suitable.

Elvira Savino, of the Forza Italia party, is campaigning for new legislation which is nicknamed the 'Savino law.' He is proposing that parents who provide their children with an 'inadequate' diet could end up spending up to four years in prison. Repubblica reported that Ms Savino wrote that vegan diets could potentially leave children lacking in iron, zinc and B12, which can possibly lead to neurological problems and anaemia. 

In Italy around 1% of the population is vegan, while about 7% are vegetarian.

"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. There is no objection if the person making this choice is an informed adult. A problem arises when children are involved."

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Josie Copson
I'm the features intern here at Cosmopolitan and I'm in love with Daniel Craig - I don't want to hear you mention his age or his wife. Also, I was once dared to eat an entire cheesecake. The serving suggestion was six. I did it OBVS.