Austrian schools push healthier meals—but only 29% meet child-friendly standards
Austrian primary schools are making efforts to promote healthier eating habits among children. A recent review shows that nearly all of them encourage balanced nutrition, yet only a small fraction meet official child-friendly meal standards.
Most schools focus on fresh, local food, with 89% prioritising regional ingredients. Seasonal cooking is also common, practised by 87% of institutions. Vegetarian options are widely available, as 96% of schools consider them essential.
Allergies and intolerances are taken seriously, with 86% of schools adapting menus to accommodate affected pupils. Religious dietary needs are respected in 79% of cases. However, drink choices remain a concern—33% still serve diluted fruit juice or syrup, which can contain up to 75% sugar.
Despite these efforts, just 29% of schools hold certification for child-friendly meals. The reasons behind this low figure remain unclear, as no specific data explains the gap. While similar programmes exist in Germany and Austria, none directly address the certification rates in primary schools.
The findings highlight a mix of progress and challenges in school meal programmes. While most schools adopt healthy practices, fewer than a third meet recognised standards. The gap between policy and certification suggests room for improvement in ensuring consistent, high-quality nutrition for children.
