Uruguay School Canteens Struggle as Students Buy Food Outside Amidst Health Label Ban

Uruguayan school canteen operators are voicing concerns to lawmakers about the impact of a ban on selling food products with "octagon" warning labels. While not opposing the goal of promoting healthier eating, they report a significant drop in sales as students bypass school canteens for outside food or delivery services.

“

We agree that 'kids need better nutrition,' but it is very difficult to educate those who do not have that habit due to the few hours they are in school.

The prohibition, implemented in January 2024, targets products high in sodium, sugar, and fats to combat childhood obesity. However, canteen operators argue that students lack the "food education" to adapt to healthier options. Silva López, a canteen operator and representative of Cantineros Unidos del Uruguay, told senators that trying to serve traditional, healthy meals like canelones to students unfamiliar with them often results in food being discarded.

“

The problem we are trying to address with this law is much bigger than whether we sell an alfajor and a Colet in the educational center.

Operators feel the ban is not effectively changing students' dietary dynamics. They point out that inconsistent application of the rules by different inspectors and a lack of clear guidance from school administrators create confusion and operational difficulties. This has led some canteen businesses to close their school operations and open independent kiosks instead.

“

It is very difficult, and there is no clear work dynamic. An inspector comes and tells me one thing, she tells another. The school principals also do not know how to respond to us, and therefore, the problem becomes bigger.

Furthermore, the canteen association highlighted that many schools are finding it difficult to attract new canteen operators due to the perceived lack of profitability and the administrative burdens. They argue that the challenges of high rent, taxes, and staffing costs, combined with the restrictions, make running a school canteen an unattractive prospect, leading to more problems than solutions.

“

No one wants to take them [canteen concessions] because they are not worth it. No one wants to bid because they are more problems than solutions. It is not profitable.