The socialist government of Pedro Sánchez It will force all schools to offer alternative menus for ethnic or religious reasons. This is stated by the Royal Decree that has been approved on Tuesday in the Council of Ministers which specifies that “the availability of special menus will always be taken into account for cultural, ethical or religious reasons, if no option is available compatible with their needs in the offered menu.”
This new regulation, which establishes development standards of articles 40 and 41 of the Law 17/2011 of Food Security and Nutritionwill also prohibit serve sugary drinks and pastries in schools and institutes and reduce the consumption of red meat to a ration per week. “It is a norm that will boost the daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables Social and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, at the press conference after the Council of Ministers.
In addition to the obligation of religious menus, the decree also provides for incorporating vegetarian or vegan menus for those who require it, as well as the drastic protein reduction of animal origin: “Enable options based on plant products in school dining rooms, which could facilitate the possibility of being able to opt for vegetarian or vegan menus, if the educational center will be appropriate.”
Bustinduy has defended that the norm “will boost the daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, of legumes, fish, quality meat, while limiting ultra -processed foods”, but omits to mention that this measure is a significant reduction in the consumption of meat products typical of the Mediterranean diet.
The text has been prepared by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 with four more ministries as co -owners (education, professional training and sports; agriculture, fishing and food; health; and youth and childhood). A deployment of ministerial resources to adapt school canteens to specific religious demands.
This government measure comes at a time when the number of Muslim students in Spanish schools continues to grow year after year, according to data from the data Andalusi Observatory.
