The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 is preparing a new regulation to extend healthy eating criteria to breakfasts and snacks offered in educational centers. The initiative comes after the approval of the regulation that guarantees five healthy meals a week in school canteens and seeks to reinforce the nutritional habits of children and adolescents.
The future regulation will establish restrictions on products with high levels of saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and added sugars. In addition, it will exclude from the school food offer those products considered ultra-processed, including industrial pastries, cookies, savory snacks, pre-cooked meals, industrial desserts, and sugary or sweetened drinks.
In the case of breakfasts, centers offering this service must include a combination of foods from at least three nutritional groups. Options include fresh fruits, whole grains, dairy products without added sugar, healthy fats such as olive oil, and different sources of protein, including plant-based protein.
Snacks must also adapt to the new criteria. The regulation will prioritize fresh fruit, preferably seasonal, as well as small sandwiches made with whole wheat bread and dairy products without added sugars and with low salt content. The objective is to promote more balanced alternatives to commonly consumed processed products.
The regulation will also incorporate measures aimed at reducing the use of plastics in the preparation, packaging, and serving of food, promoting more sustainable materials. With this initiative, the Ministry completes its strategy to promote healthy eating in educational centers and plans to extend these guidelines to hospitals, residences, and other centers for dependent people or those with special needs.
