Today, FoodServiceEurope released its ‘Model EU School Food Standard’ which provides food and nutrient based standards for food served in schools, as well as recommendations for a healthier school environment. The Standard was developed as guidance for contract catering operators and all actors involved in the provision of food in schools in the EU.

The Standard was adopted in the context of FoodServiceEurope’s participation to the European Commission’s EU Platform for Diet, Physical Activity and Health, a forum where stakeholders adopt commitments that contribute to tackling childhood obesity within the EU.

The Model takes into account mandatory regulations or voluntary guidance on food served in primary and secondary schools at national or local level. It is not meant to replace existing guidelines, but to provide a European reference standard and supplement existing guidance wherever useful.

While many factors are linked to increasing levels of childhood obesity in Europe, FoodServiceEurope recognizes the importance of promoting healthier environments in schools and is committed to supporting EU Member States in their endeavours, as laid down in the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020.

“As food provider in schools, hospitals, care homes and other similar settings, the contract catering sector plays an important social and economic role. This entails a responsibility to provide the best nutritional quality possible. The Model School Food Policy that we are launching today will be used to promote the highest standards across Europe. We call on EU Member States to match this ambition with a commitment to promoting quality through public tendering, by awarding contracts on criteria beyond best price. This will be fundamental to improving nutrition in schools among other settings,” said Rocco Renaldi, FoodServiceEurope Secretary-General.

Moving forward, FoodServiceEurope commits to engaging with relevant partners for the dissemination of the School Food Standard in the contract catering sector. It will carry out follow-up actions for implementation at national level through its national associations and member companies.