Spain, 21 July 2010: Health Ministry and autonomous communities agree plan to remove "junk" food from schools Spain, 21 July 2010: Health Ministry and autonomous communities agree plan to remove "junk" food from schools
A plan to remove "junk" food from schools was presented by Health Minister Trinidad Jiménez at a meeting of Spain's Inter-Territorial Health Council.
The plan, yet to be finalised, aims to remove chips, pastries, and fizzy drinks from state school canteens and on-site vending machines in a move to combat a child obesity epidemic sweeping across Spain.
The projected ban targets buns, crisps, biscuits, and salty snacks. Artificial sweeteners and stimulants are also banned, with the exception of naturally-occuring stimulants, such as those found in cocoa. Units of food exceeding 200 kilo calories, 0.5 grams of salt, and trans fats are banned from vending machines, while natural fats such as those found in milk or meat products are permitted.
The plan does not establish sanctions for non-compliance, rather it comprises a series of recommendations that all autonomous communities have agreed to respect. The food and beverage industry nevertheless feels that the document, which is backed by nutritionists, paediatricians and endocrinologists, will be ineffective.
Ana Escudero, the Secretary General of the National Association of Soft and Alcoholic Drinks (Anfabra), explained that obesity is a “multifactorial public health problem”. She added that “[the Government's] distinction between what constitutes good and bad food is without justification”, and amounts to the “criminalization” of some food products.
Health experts back the measures but say that an information campaign is required to back it up. Roberto Sabrido of the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency commented that the Ministry's plan “is one step towards combating obesity”, and that it should be complemented by a correct application of the Strategy for Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Obesity (Naos), introduced in 2005. His agency will be working on a revised Naos document over a four-year period from 2011 to 2014.
At present, one in four children in Spain is overweight or suffers from obesity, according to figures released by the Pilot Programme in Schools for Health, Physical Exercise and against Obesity (PERSEO).
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