China and Poland impose stricter school meal rules

From 1 June 2026 China will enforce new food‑safety regulations in kindergartens, covering more than 250 000 facilities and 35.8 million children. The law introduces a "negative list" banning items such as hamburgers, unwrapped pastries, external sandwich supplies, non‑packaged edible oil and salt, and restricts raw or undercooked foods. Kindergartens must manage their own kitchens, store meal samples for 48 hours, and undergo bi‑annual inspections, with severe penalties for violations.

Starting 1 September 2026 Poland will apply a "planetary diet" regime to schools and kindergartens. The decree requires at least one fully plant‑based lunch per week, increased legume‑based dishes, vegetable‑stock soups, and allows dairy substitutes. Developed from the EAT‑Lancet framework, the policy aims to cut processed‑food intake, reduce meat consumption to about 14 g of red meat daily, and support environmental goals. The changes have sparked debate among parents and politicians.

Both measures will affect millions of children and reshape school nutrition standards in their respective countries.