New nutrition rules in Polish schools: political dispute over children's diet

From September 1, new nutrition rules apply in Polish schools and kindergartens. According to the regulation of the Minister of Health, children's menus must regularly include fish and legumes, and meat will be served a maximum of twice a week. Sugar and salt will also be limited. The aim of the changes is to combat growing obesity among the youngest - a problem that, according to experts, is becoming more and more serious.

The changes caused a real political storm. Former prime minister and current leader of the Rozwoju Plus group, Mateusz Morawiecki, sharply criticized the new regulations, accusing the government of introducing a "planetary diet" without consulting parents. “Instead of pork chop, children will get soybean soup,” Morawiecki thundered on social media.

Education Minister Barbara Nowacka commented on the former head of government's comment.

Do I have to refer to every stupidity and ignorance of Mr. Morawiecki? – she said, emphasizing that the regulation was subject to public consultation and entered into force in February. Where was Mr. Morawiecki for so many months? – she asked rhetorically.

Nowacka pointed out that the purpose of the changes is to care for children's health. The argument about children having to eat healthy goes beyond common sense, she said. In her opinion, every responsible patriot should support activities for a healthy diet of the young generation. Healthy - she emphasized - so "balanced, based on local products, which additionally uses products produced by Polish farmers."

And here Mr. Morawiecki comes in without reading anything and says that he doesn't like the fact that children will eat groats. Come on, man, groats are a Polish product, she added. The head of the Ministry of National Education said that it is good for children to know that "you can eat wonderful pancakes with cheese, you can eat meat, you can eat something else and everything can be prepared super tasty." It's really all in the hands of the cooks, and they really can be brilliant in schools, she added.

PiS MP Maria Kurowska also joined the criticism of the changes in the canteens, calling the new rules "insane leftist ideology." In her opinion, the changes may negatively affect children's health and development.

The head of the Ministry of National Education also commented on this statement. The regulation of the Minister of Health was prepared by dieticians, and Mrs. Kurowska is an MP who is famous for completely substandard statements, regarding nature or actually any area - she replied. Let's talk about authorities, added Nowacka.

The Ministry of Health explains that the new nutrition rules refer to the so-called planetary diet. It is a model that combines care for human health with care for the environment. In practice, this means a larger share of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and local products, and a smaller share of meat and highly processed products.

The most important changes included: a mandatory, nutritious meal based on legumes once a week, limiting meat to two dinners a week, more vegetables and fruit in daily meals, and preferring water as a drink for children.