To promote healthier choices for children, greater emphasis will be placed on vegetables, fruits, berries, and fish in the catering of kindergartens and schools. The amount of sugar and salt will be reduced. The regulation will come into force on September 1st.
Currently, the food requirements in kindergartens and schools are based on the year 2008. Time has changed, and now a new regulation is ready. The new regulation promotes healthier food. Children will eat more varied and balanced.
Greater emphasis is placed on plant-based products, vegetables, and fruits. The requirements for caterers are also simplified. Now, the chef does not have to think about micronutrients but focuses on food groups like vegetables and dairy products.
Unhealthy food causes more health damage in Estonia than alcohol and tobacco. We eat too much processed meat and salty snacks. We eat too few root vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish. We need to eat more plant-based foods and fish.
In primary school, children start eating more sugar and sweet snacks. Offering free fruits in schools helps reduce children’s weight. Inequality in Estonia is growing. Improving school meals can reduce childhood obesity by 15 percent.
In addition to diversifying the menu, it is important to offer different foods. Too fatty foods like French fries should not be offered. Sweeteners should not be offered because children should get used to the natural tastes of food.
Changing the environment is more effective than campaigns. The review of school meals and regulations is the right step towards a healthier life. The regulation that comes into force on September 1st also concerns the food offered in school cafeterias. The school principal can decide which food is suitable for the cafeteria.