New rules governing school meals in Belarus will come into force on Sept. 1. The relevant resolution was signed by Prime Minister Aliaksandr Turchyn.
Under the new rules, a single meal format will be introduced for schools providing one meal a day. For students attending morning classes, it will be referred to as a second breakfast, while for those in the afternoon shift it will be an afternoon snack. The meal will consist of three items: a salad, a hot dish and a drink.
The approach to applying nutritional standards and drawing up sample menus for schools providing one or two meals a day will also change. The government said this will make it possible to adjust menus more quickly in line with students’ preferences.
The system for grouping students by age will also be revised. Instead of the current two categories covering ages 6–10 and 11–18, schools will use three groups: grades 1–5, grades 6–8 and grades 9–11. According to the government, this will make it possible to better reflect the physiological needs of children at different ages.
From Sept. 1, state spending norms for school meals will increase by 5%. In future, they will be indexed annually in line with changes in retail food prices.
The resolution also expands the list of products permitted for school meals. It now includes ready-made meat, fish, flour-based, vegetable and other semi-finished products that meet child nutrition standards. At the same time, restrictions on the use of bakery products, pork fat and meat pâtés have been lifted.
In addition, school cafeterias will be allowed to install vending machines offering food and beverages approved for children, primarily from Belarusian manufacturers.
