Spanish schools must serve fruit, vegetables and fish in new anti-obesity drive

All schools in Spain are now legally required to serve fruit and vegetables daily and include fish in lunches at least once a week, under new legislation designed to combat childhood obesity.

Introduced by royal decree this week, the measures form part of a broader government strategy to promote healthy eating among children. The law also requires schools to provide vegetarian and vegan meal options, in a bid to cater for diverse dietary needs.

Despite the country’s global reputation for its Mediterranean diet, a 2019 study found that over 40 per cent of Spanish children aged six to nine were above the recommended weight, with 17.3 per cent classified as obese.

According to a 2023 study by Spain’s national food agency, 37 per cent of schools were serving just two or fewer portions of fresh vegetables per week, while many exceeded the advised maximum of two portions of fried food. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs also reported that 1,200 schools were not serving fish at all.

Under the new rules, at least 45 per cent of the fruit and vegetables offered must be seasonal, with a preference for locally produced items. A minimum of 5 per cent must be certified organic.

Schools will be prohibited from serving drinks containing more than 5 per cent sugar, and strict limits have also been introduced for caffeine, salt, and fat content. Government data shows that 70 per cent of beverages available in school vending machines currently exceed recommended thresholds for sugar and caffeine.

Highly processed items such as pizzas and pies not prepared on site will be restricted to once per month. Any fried food must be cooked using olive or sunflower oil.

Spain currently has the sixth-highest obesity rate in the European Union, with 20.3 per cent of adults and 15.9 per cent of children affected in 2023. However, this marks a four per cent decline since 2019.

The legislation also aims to address social inequality. Figures reveal that 46.7 per cent of children in households earning less than €18,000 (£15,400) per year are overweight, compared with 29.2 per cent in households with incomes over €30,000.

Consumer and Social Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy said the new law would apply to all public and private primary and secondary schools, helping to ensure fair access to healthy food. “From now on, every day all children and adolescents will have access to healthy and nutritious food, regardless of their family’s income,” he said.