As from September, the start of the new academic year, the Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucia is going to take a more active supervisory role when it comes to school meals, an action being carried out in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.
Obesity is considered a major problem in public health and the Junta wants to promote ‘healthy eating habits’ in children. Studies have shown that children are influenced by their environment and by encouraging healthy eating at school, it is hoped that this will be transferred to their home environment as well.
The Junta will try and ensure that school menus are balanced and contain the correct proportion of each food. The Junta will also be looking at the question of vending machines in schools which sell sweets, sugary drinks and other snacks, although there are very few of these in primary schools.