Mortadella, chips and iced tea on the list as Saudi schools ban 30 food items

Saudi Arabia’s Education Ministry has banned 30 food items from school canteens, including soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, iced tea, mortadella, ice cream, chips and chocolate-covered biscuits.

The list also includes juices containing artificial colors, flavored and chocolate milk, croissants, sweets, chocolate, chewing gum, mayonnaise and pickles. Foods such as meat, poultry and fish coated in breadcrumbs are also prohibited, as are custard-filled sandwiches.

The ministry has imposed strict conditions on the packaging, transport and storage of chilled food. It also tightened requirements for warehouses holding dry food products and required meals to be prepared on the same day they are sold.

Canteen operators must hold a dedicated license supported by a commercial registration and a Zakat and income certificate, among other requirements. The ministry said the rules seek to raise awareness of healthy nutrition, provide safer and more balanced choices for students, and ensure compliance with health standards when school meals are prepared and served.