Bill approved by Senate committee bans ultra-processed foods in schools.
The measure prohibits the sale of products high in sugar, fat, and salt in the cafeterias of public and private institutions.
247 - The Senate's Transparency, Governance, Oversight and Consumer Protection Committee approved on Wednesday (4) a bill that prohibits the sale of ultra-processed foods in school canteens. The text also establishes measures to encourage the offering of foods considered healthy in educational institutions. The information is from CNN Brazil.
The proposal was presented by Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) and received a favorable opinion in the form of an alternative text prepared by Senator Mara Gabrilli (PSD-SP). The project will now proceed to the Senate's Education and Social Affairs committees for analysis.
Snacks, soft drinks, and cookies are not allowed in the cafeterias.
With this measure, items such as processed snacks, cookies, processed cakes, chocolates, ice cream, soft drinks, and packaged juices are prohibited. The approved text prevents the sale of products with high levels of calories, saturated fat, trans fat, free sugar, and salt, as well as foods containing added sweeteners.
According to the bill, schools will be required to offer at least one healthy school lunch option, prioritizing fresh or minimally processed foods. This rule will apply to commercial establishments located within public and private schools. If the proposal becomes law, enforcement will be the responsibility of the Health Surveillance agency, in conjunction with parent-teacher associations and school food councils.
Non-compliance will be treated as a sanitary violation.
Failure to comply with the regulations will be considered a sanitary infraction, with liability in the civil, administrative, and criminal spheres. The text uses as a reference the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population and the Dietary Guidelines for Brazilian Children Under Two Years of Age, both prepared by the Ministry of Health.
