Spain's schools ordered to serve more fruit and fish

All schools in Spain will be legally obliged to serve fruit and vegetables as part of their lunches, and fish at least once a week, under new rules aiming to reduce the amount of fried and fatty food served to children.

- Stephen Burgen

Hailed by the government as a key plank of the fight against childhood obesity, the new rules brought in by royal decree this week will also compel schools to offer vegetarian and vegan meals.

Although Spain is famous for its Mediterranean diet, more than 40% of Spanish children aged six to nine were found by a 2019 study to be over their recommended weight, of whom 17.3% were classed as obese.