Greece has revised regulations governing food sold in school canteens, easing some portion restrictions and emphasising healthier options amid ongoing childhood obesity concerns, with the changes supported by scientific and practical considerations.
Greece has updated the rules governing food sold in school canteens, loosening some portion limits and clarifying which items may be offered as the new academic year gets under way. According to the Health Ministry, the changes are intended to make the rules easier to apply while keeping the focus on children’s diets, with the revised decision published in the government gazette this month.
The amendment was drawn up after work between the National Nutrition Committee and the Panhellenic Federation of Public and Private School Canteens, with seven of the federation’s proposals accepted, according to the ministry. Officials say the aim is to support healthier choices in schools without creating practical obstacles for canteen operators, a balance that has long been difficult to strike in a country where childhood obesity remains a public health concern.
Among the changes, wholemeal options are being encouraged more clearly, while the rules also spell out that plain bread, wholemeal bread and multigrain bread may be sold, alongside Arabic flatbread and tortilla. Bread without gluten is also permitted. The maximum weight for this category is 80 grams, and wholemeal products are preferred where possible.
Other items have been kept under tight limits. Cheese pies, vegetable pies such as spinach pie, courgette pie and mixed greens pie, and cheese-filled bread rings may be sold at up to 100 grams, reflecting their higher calorie content. Pizza without processed meats is allowed at a maximum of 100 grams, while sandwiches and toast may be made with cooked or boiled chicken and turkey rather than deli meats. Milk-based drinks may be prepared in the canteen from fresh milk and fresh or frozen fruit, but packaged versions and ready-made powders remain banned.
On school premises, the Health Ministry says the rules are designed to guide children towards healthier habits from an early age while still fitting into everyday school life. Health Deputy Minister Eirini Agapidaki said the goal is to protect children’s health and support their development, adding that the changes were based on scientific criteria and practical needs.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
