The transition schedule for the “School Food” application regarding pre-packaged products to be sold in food establishments such as canteens, cafeterias, buffets, and tea houses operating in schools and institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education has changed.
The “Communiqué on Amending the Communiqué on School Food,” prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has been published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. With this regulation, the transition date, previously set for September 14, 2026, has been postponed to September 13, 2027.
In the new system, a “Nutritional Score” application will be introduced for packaged foods offered for sale in school canteens. Accordingly, products will be evaluated using methods and criteria to be determined by the Ministry of Health, taking into account their energy, nutritional components, other ingredients, and production processes.
In addition to the “School Food” logo, the labels “A Nutritional Score,” “B Nutritional Score,” or “C Nutritional Score” will appear on the packaging. The Ministry of Health will determine the criteria for school food approval and nutritional scores; these criteria will be communicated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of National Education via official correspondence.
The established criteria will be published on the websites of the relevant ministries. Products whose school food approval has been revoked, as well as foods deemed unsuitable for sale by the Ministry of Health even if they have an A, B, or C nutritional score, will not be allowed to be sold in school canteens.
News Source: 12punto
