European Commission: healthy school meals are important for the Member States

Almost one in three children are overweight or obese in Europe, but the countries are aware of the importance of healthy school meals and to grant the children's healthy growth, therefore they are introducing various measures in order to facilitate healthy nutrition – the European Commission found in its first report on school feeding programs.

According to the report, the European countries are aware of the importance of school meals. All the studied countries (the 28 EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland) have school meal programs, although there are major differences between them.

A significant number of programs include restrictions or recommendations on the marketing of soft drinks in relation to school. The majority of programs supports the access of fresh (free) water, and specifically limits or prohibits the sale of soft drinks. (MTI)