Spanish government bans ultra-processed foods and energy drinks from schools

The decree, which gives educational institutions a year to prepare, aims to ensure that every child has access to a healthy, nutritious and varied diet every day, regardless of their family’s income level.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which drafted the legislation, 47 percent of students between the ages of 6 and 9 from families with a low income of less than 18,000 euros (7.3 million forints) are overweight because they cannot afford to eat more fresh or whole foods.

Under the public catering reform, the country’s 17,000 school canteens will have to offer fresh fruit and vegetables every day, of which at least 45 percent must be seasonal. They must provide some organic product at least twice a month, or spend 5 percent of their expenses on organic food.

According to the ministry, there are 1,200 institutions where fish is never served to children, but after a year it must be included in the weekly menu at least once, which cannot include more than one fried food, but it cannot be a semi-finished product either.