Greece implements new nutritional regulations for school canteens

New regulations for school canteens in Greece have sparked debate between health objectives and the economic viability of canteen operators. The Ministry of Health introduced the framework to combat childhood obesity, based on scientific opinions from the National Nutrition Committee. The goal is to reduce the intake of saturated fats, sugar, and salt while increasing fiber consumption.

Under the new rules, specific portion limits have been established. For example, items such as bread, pita, and tortillas are capped at 80 grams, while savory pies like cheese or spinach pie are limited to 100 grams. Pizza may only be sold without meat products. While the Ministry has implemented seven amendments following consultations with the Panhellenic Federation of Public and Private School Canteens, the core restrictions remain.

Canteen professionals argue that the combination of reduced portion sizes, the removal of popular products, and rising operating costs creates a difficult economic environment that could significantly impact their turnover.