Poland’s Minister of Health has introduced a new regulation on nutrition in schools and kindergartens, often referred to as the “school shop regulation.” The rules will take effect on 1 September 2026 and aim to improve the quality of food available to children and adolescents in educational institutions.
The regulation introduces new requirements for school meals and sets clear limits on the types of food that can be sold on school premises, including in vending machines. It replaces previous rules adopted in 2016.
Focus on children’s nutrition
According to the Ministry of Health, children and adolescents are particularly sensitive to the effects of poor nutrition. Proper nutrition during preschool and school years supports well-being, physical condition and the ability to concentrate, which influences learning and social development. Eating habits formed in childhood are also closely linked to health in adulthood.
Since children spend a large part of their day in educational institutions, the ministry considers access to nutritious meals and foods with high nutritional value essential.
Healthier school meals
The regulation introduces new standards for menus in preschools and schools. One notable requirement is that at least one lunch per week must be fully plant-based and based on legumes. Schools will also need to offer plant-based alternatives on days when meat or fish meals are served for children who follow plant-based diets.
Other requirements include:
- preference for water as the main drink
- soups prepared with vegetable stock at least twice a week
- reduced added sugar in drinks prepared in school kitchens
- greater use of seasonal and local products
- the possibility to replace dairy products with plant-based alternatives
- emphasis on wholegrain products
These changes are intended to limit highly processed foods and promote healthier eating habits from an early age, while reflecting the principles of a planetary diet.
Clear rules for school shops
The regulation introduces a defined list of foods that can be sold to children and adolescents in school shops and vending machines.
Permitted products include:
- bread and bakery products
- sandwiches
- salads and vegetable dishes
- milk and dairy products
- plant-based drinks and dairy alternatives
- cereal products, including breakfast cereals
- vegetables and fruit
- dried fruit and vegetables
- nuts and seeds without added sugar, sweeteners or salt
- juices and fruit purées without added sugar or sweeteners
- milk-based or plant-based smoothies without added sugar
- mineral water, spring water and table water
- drinks prepared on site with limited added sugar
- drinks without added sugar or sweeteners
- sugar-free chewing gum
- dark chocolate with high cocoa content
The list also includes gluten-free and lactose-free products and plant-based alternatives fortified with calcium and vitamin B12, reflecting the needs of children on elimination diets.
The regulation reduces the amount of sugar allowed in drinks prepared on site and removes the previously used “other” category, which allowed the sale of products with lower nutritional value.
Coffee sales allowed
The final version of the regulation does not include a planned ban on coffee sales in school shops. According to the Polish Ministry of Health, this decision followed feedback from parents and caregivers during public consultations and was supported by expert opinions.
The Polish Ministry of Education also supported allowing coffee sales, particularly in secondary schools. The National Institute of Public Health (PZH-PIB) considered a full ban too restrictive.
Research conducted during the 2022/23 school year in 127 primary schools in Poland found that about 70% of schools did not sell coffee even without a formal ban.
Support for schools
To help schools and preschools implement the new rules, the Ministry of Health is working with the National Institute of Public Health to develop practical guidance and tools.
Publications and e-books prepared by nutrition experts are already available, including example menus and recipes suitable for school kitchens.
Public health goals
The regulation forms part of broader national efforts to improve children’s diets and reduce health risks.
By defining both school meals and permitted products in school shops, the rules aim to make healthier choices easier for children. The measures are expected to:
- reduce children’s exposure to foods high in sugar, fat and salt
- increase consumption of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and legumes
- promote water as the drink of first choice
- encourage consumption of fish and healthier plant-based fats
- support more sustainable dietary patterns and reduce food waste
In the long term, the ministry expects these measures to help reduce overweight and obesity among children and lower the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.
Further measures planned
The Polish Ministry of Health is also preparing additional regulations on nutrition for children under the age of three in nurseries and children’s clubs.
Proposed legislation would allow the Minister of Health to introduce detailed nutrition standards and food requirements for collective catering in childcare settings, including provisions for children with special dietary needs.
02.03.2026.
