Summary:
The resolution modifies the guidelines for the allocation of the funds of the National School Meals Program [Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, PNAE] relying on the NOVA food classification system.
Description:
The resolution imposes several restrictions on including processed and ultra-processed foods (in Portuguese, “alimentos ultraprocessados”) in the National School Meals Program [Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, PNAE]. The main innovation of the resolution is that it relies on the NOVA food classification system to distinguish foods based on the level of processing: unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed foods, culinary ingredients, and ultra-processed products (UPPs).
Specifically, it provides:
- Minimum amounts of fruits, vegetables and legumes to be offered in school menus, as well as maximum amounts of meat, canned vegetables, sweetened beverages, desserts, and UPPs (Art. 18);
- Financial restrictions to ensure balanced school meals:
- (i) at least 75% must be used to buy fresh or minimally processed foods;
- (ii) 20% at most can be used to buy processed foods and UPPs;
- (iii) a maximum of 5% can be used to purchase processed culinary ingredients (Art. 21).
- Prohibition on using funds to purchase specific UPPs, including soft drinks, artificial refreshments, drinks or concentrates based on guarana or currant syrup, ready-to-eat teas, sweetened cereals or cereals with additives, candies, chocolate bars, stuffed biscuits, cakes with topping or filling, sweetened cereal bars with additives, gelatin, monosodium glutamate or sodium salts, mayonnaise and powdered or reconstituted food, among others (Art. 22).
Furthermore, the resolution outlines some principles of nutrition education, which encompass social, financial, and environmental sustainability, respect for local traditions, as well as autonomy and self-care.