Greece’s Ministry of Health has announced a new strict public health regulation which will remove processed ‘junk’ food from school canteens.
This comes as an effort to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits. The decision was signed by Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki who defined which products are permitted and which are banned from school canteens.
Products allowed to be sold from school canteens include fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits with no added sugar, and fruit salads or fruit compotes preserved in natural juice. Dairy products such as fresh milk, kefir, ayran (a traditional yogurt-based drink), yogurt, rice pudding, and cream desserts will also be permitted provided they contain no added sugar and meet specific fat content limits.
For baked goods and snacks, whole-grain products will be allowed, such as traditional bread rings (koulouri), rusks, cereal bars, raisin bread, and molasses cookies. In addition, sesame bars (pasteli), halva, and sugar-free plant-based desserts will be permitted, while nuts will only be allowed in middle schools and high schools.
For sandwiches, toast, and salads, only whole-grain bread, fresh vegetables, Greek cheeses, boiled chicken or turkey, tuna, and eggs may be used. Allowed fats are limited to olive oil, olive paste, or soft margarine. Salads may also include grains and legumes.
Pies and pizzas will be allowed only if they contain no processed meats and are made only using olive oil or plant-based oils.
Approved beverages include bottled water, natural juices with no added sugar, plant-based drinks, and herbal infusions (the latter only in secondary education). Coffee is permitted exclusively for school staff.
Prohibited items include processed meat products such as ham, bacon, pariza (a type of processed meat similar to bologna), mortadella, and sausages. Prepared meat-based foods such as gyros, schnitzel, burgers, and kebabs are also prohibited.
Also banned are pizzas and pies containing processed meats, processed cheeses, chips, cheese puffs, chocolate, ice cream, candy, and energy drinks. Additional prohibited items include cakes, traditional Greek sweet breads (tsoureki), croissants, soft drinks, and condiments or spreads such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and chocolate spreads.
Source: Tovima
