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Is junk food in schools banned in your country?
The 2026 map of where junk food in schools is banned or restricted, aired Nov 9, 2026. Sources
Watch on YouTubeThe video shows the map as it aired on Nov 9, 2026. The counts on this page are kept up to date.
Sources: National gazettes and ministries · Press on ministry orders · Amber evidence · How we rate it
Is it banned where you live? Check your countryBanned in 29 countries
Chips, chocolate and sugary sodas off every school canteen menu.
Source: MoE canteen circular 2022
Why we rate it this way
Ministry of Education canteen rules (2016 list, kept in 2022 circular): chocolate, chips, nuggets, fried food, processed meat, sugary soft drinks, energy drinks prohibited in school canteens (The Peninsula 4 Oct 2016, 3 Sep 2022)
30 items banned in school canteens - chips, soda, cold tea, sweets.
Source: Saudi MoE (Gulf News 2026)
Why we rate it this way
Ministry of Education bans sale and marketing of 30 items in school canteens incl. fizzy, energy and sports drinks, cold tea, chips, chocolate biscuits, ice cream, sweets (Gulf News, updated 8 Sep 2026); MoH 2017 rule before it
National guide bans soda, candy, chips and fries in every school.
Source: UAE national school guide
Why we rate it this way
National Guide for Food and Beverages in the School Environment (Gulf News 14 Apr 2026): public, private and vocational schools; bans soft and energy drinks, candy, gum, chocolate, chips, fries, donuts, processed meats
Puffs, chips, soda and gum banned in school buffets since 2014.
Source: MoE+MoH directive 2014
Why we rate it this way
Joint 'healthy nutrition base' directive signed by the Education and Health ministers 10 Aban 1393 (Nov 2014), sent to all schools: puffs, snacks, soda, gum, chocolate, chips, sausages banned in school buffets (Aftab 2017; Jamejam later update)
Soda, energy drinks and flavoured chips banned for sale in schools.
Source: MoH nutrition order, Sep 2025
Why we rate it this way
Health Minister's sanitary rules for education facilities ban sale of carbonated and sweet drinks, energy drinks, flavoured chips and crackers in schools (Informburo); new school-food order adds fast food and gum Recheck 8 Nov 2026: MoH amended the nutrition-standards order, from 1 Sep 2025 banning sale in educational organisations of sweet soft drinks, energy drinks, chips, fast food, gum, ice cream (Bizmedia 7 Mar 2025; Zakon.kz 14 Sep 2026: applies nationwide).
Fizzy drinks and preserved chips banned from school canteens.
Source: MoH sanitary rules, Dec 2025
Why we rate it this way
Presidential decree 2021 on health + MoH sanitary rules/list (2022): carbonated drinks and chips/crackers with artificial preservatives may not be made or sold in school canteens (Anhor.uz, Talim Xabarlari) Recheck 8 Nov 2026: MoH list under the sanitary rules for pupils' nutrition bans carbonated drinks, chips with artificial preservatives and energy drinks from preparation and sale in school canteens (Talimxabarlari 10 Dec 2025).
Chips, soda, gum and energy drinks banned in school food since 2021.
Source: SanPiN 2.3/2.4.3590-20
Why we rate it this way
Sanitary rules SanPiN 2.3/2.4.3590-20 (in force 1 Jan 2021 to 2027), Annex 6: carbonated drinks (item 32), chewing gum (34), caramel (36), potato/corn chips and snacks (42), energy drinks (29) not allowed in children's catering incl. school buffets
Sweet sodas and energy drinks banned in school food since 2021.
Source: CMU Resolution 305/2021
Why we rate it this way
Cabinet Resolution 305 of 24 Mar 2021 (applies from 1 Sep 2021, still the basis in 2026 local guidance): carbonated incl. sweet carbonated and energy drinks, synthetic colours/sweeteners, processed meat banned in school food
No chips, chocolate or soda in school canteens since 2016.
Source: MEB canteen circular 2016
Why we rate it this way
Ministry of National Education circular (Apr 2016) binding all state and private schools: no chips, chocolate, candy, fried food; drinks limited to water, ayran, pasteurised milk (meb.gov.tr 7 Apr 2016); later inspection drives
Law bans sweet drinks, sweets and fries in schools since 2016.
Source: IL school food law 2014
Why we rate it this way
Supervision of Food Quality and Proper Nutrition in Educational Institutions Law 2014 + DG circular Apr 2016 (from school year 2016-17): sweet drinks incl. diet and energy drinks, fried food, sweets banned; fines up to 6,000 NIS
Junk food above sugar/salt/fat limits banned in schools since 2008.
Source: Law 123/2008, Ord 1563
Why we rate it this way
Law 123/2008 + Health Order 1563/2008 (MO 651, 15 Sep 2008) art. 1(2): sale of foods meeting the Annex 1 'not recommended' criteria banned on school premises; national control campaign 3-14 Feb 2025
Sugary and energy drinks, burgers banned in tuck shops since 2023.
Source: Slovak MoH decree 2023
Why we rate it this way
Health Ministry decree in force mid-Mar 2023: school tuck shops may no longer sell energy drinks, sugary drinks, caffeinated drinks, hamburgers or fried food (RTVS 17 Mar 2023)
Only approved low-sugar, low-salt foods may be sold in schools.
Source: PL MoH reg. Dz.U. 2026/197
Why we rate it this way
Act on food safety art. 52c: only food groups listed by the Health Minister may be sold in schools; 2016 list (Dz.U. 2016/1154) replaced by regulation of 16 Feb 2026 (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 197) from 1 Sep 2026
Soft drinks, sweets and fast food banned in school bars since 2021.
Source: Despacho 8127/2021
Why we rate it this way
Despacho 8127/2021 (17 Aug 2021) for public schools: cakes, salty pastries, fast food, sweets, soft drinks, ice cream banned in school bars and vending; DGS/DGE monitoring Jan-Mar 2025 of 406 schools
Crisps, soft drinks and sweets out of school canteens from Sept 2026.
Source: KYA 21739/2026, FEK B 3060
Why we rate it this way
New Health Ministry canteen regulation replacing the 2013 framework, from school year 2026-27: soft drinks, energy drinks, crisps, chocolate, sweets, cakes, ice cream, processed meat removed (ThePressProject 5 Jun 2026) Recheck 8 Nov 2026: KYA 21739/2026 (FEK B 3060, 2 Jun 2026) applies to public and private primary and secondary canteens, dining areas and vending from school year 2026-27; soft drinks and processed meats banned, crisps, chocolate and sweets off the list.
High sugar, salt and fat snacks banned in school kiosks since 2012.
Source: Decreto 36910-MEP-S
Why we rate it this way
Decree 36910-MEP-S (2012) regulating school sodas/kiosks in public and private schools: sale of high-energy, high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt products prohibited (Global Nutrition Report 2021)
School bars may not sell foods high in sugar, salt or fat.
Source: Acuerdo Interm. 0005-14
Why we rate it this way
Interministerial Agreement 0005-14 (2014, health + education) regulating bares escolares of the national education system (FAOLEX); re-issued as AI 00007-2020 (cited 2026): high sugar/salt/fat products barred
Only foods with no 'EXCESO' warning sold in schools since Jan 2024.
Source: Ley 20.075 art. 293
Why we rate it this way
Law 20.075 art. 293 amended Law 19.140 art. 4: from 1 Jan 2024 only foods on the MSP list (Ordenanza 212/022, no 'EXCESO' warning) may be sold in public and private primary and secondary schools
Octagon 'high in' foods banned in school kiosks since 2019.
Source: RM 195-2019-MINSA
Why we rate it this way
Law 30021 + Ministerial Resolution 195-2019-MINSA (Feb 2019): kiosks, cafeterias and canteens of public and private basic-education schools may not sell foods high in sugar, salt, fat (octagon foods)
No 'ALTO EN' warning-label food sold in any school since 2016.
Source: Ley 20.606 art. 6
Why we rate it this way
Law 20.606 art. 6 + Decree 13/2015, in force 27 Jun 2016: foods with 'ALTO EN' warning labels may not be sold, offered or advertised in pre-school, primary and secondary schools
Chips, nuggets, candy and ice cream banned in school canteens.
Source: KPM list (Malay Mail 2025)
Why we rate it this way
Education Ministry (KPM) with MOH Nutrition Division, Sep 2025: 12 categories banned from school canteens incl. fries, nuggets, sausages, chips, candy, chocolate, instant meals, ice cream; 2019 circular bars such vending (Malay Mail 27 Sep 2025)
High-calorie junk food and high-caffeine drinks banned in schools.
Source: Children's Dietary Life Act
Why we rate it this way
Special Act on Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life art. 8: high-calorie low-nutrient foods banned in school stores; high-caffeine drinks from 2014, coffee in schools from 2018 (Ajunews; Dailian 2026)
Snack and soda vending machines banned in every school since 2005.
Source: Loi 2004-806 art. 30
Why we rate it this way
Public health law 2004-806 art. 30: paid food and drink vending machines accessible to pupils banned in all schools from 1 Sep 2005, no exemptions (Senate answer 2005); energy drinks banned by 2008 circular
Since Apr 2026: no school snack over 200 kcal, sugar and salt capped.
Source: Real Decreto 315/2025
Why we rate it this way
Royal Decree 315/2025 (BOE 16 Apr 2025), in force 16 Apr 2026, art. 5: vending and cafeteria products in all public, subsidised and private schools capped at 200 kcal per serving with fat, sugar, salt limits
Sugary drinks and junk food banned in public school canteens.
Source: DepEd Order 13 s. 2017
Why we rate it this way
DepEd Order 13 s. 2017 (14 Mar 2017) for public schools and DepEd offices: 'red' foods (sugary drinks, energy drinks, candy, chocolate, deep-fried snacks) not sold in canteens; division memos Jul 2025 reiterate
Decree 15/2025: soda, candy and gum off every school canteen.
Source: MoH Decree 15/2025
Why we rate it this way
Ministerial Decree 15/2025 (MoH, Public Authority for Food and Nutrition canteen regulations): art. 12 bans soft, energy and sports drinks, candy, gum and jelly in school canteens, art. 15 sets sanctions; Kuwait Times 28 Aug 2025: in force this month, applies to public and private schools, HFSS foods prohibited.
Only an approved food list may be sold in schools since 2016.
Source: MK Regulation No. 172
Why we rate it this way
Cabinet Regulation No. 172 (likumi.lv, consolidated 4 Aug 2023) point 4.1: in general basic and secondary and vocational schools and their territory only the listed products may be distributed beyond the menu; sweetened drinks, chips and sweets are not on it. LV Portals 5 Jan 2016: sweetened soft drinks banned in schools from 1 Jan 2016.
No food or drink vending machines in any school, by law.
Source: ZSolPre-1 art. 4; gov.si 2026
Why we rate it this way
School Nutrition Act (ZSolPre-1) art. 4(8): no food or drink vending machines on the premises or grounds of any primary or secondary school; art. 4(9) hot-drink machines in staff rooms only (gov.si page updated 17 Aug 2026). Same vending-only basis as France's red.
Land of Takis and Coke: no chips or soda sold in schools since 2025.
Source: DOF 30 Sep 2024
Why we rate it this way
SEP/SSA general guidelines (DOF 30 Sep 2024), in force 29 Mar 2025 after 180 days: no warning-label (NOM-051) products sold in any school of the national education system; fines and loss of accreditation
Everywhere not listed here, junk food in schools is allowed.
Restricted in 17 countries
2017 school buffet rules were only recommendations, never enforced.
Source: Civil.ge 2021; petition 2023
Why we rate it this way
Civil.ge 20 Sep 2021: the 2015 MoH 'Healthy and Safe Nutrition at School' text was non-binding recommendations adopted by MoES in 2017, no enforcement; Oct 2023 petition says buffets still sell soda and sweets, minister promised a new order; none found 2024-26. Amber.
2020 sale ban written, but its key clauses never switched on.
Source: FSSAI Regs 2020, reg 1(2)
Why we rate it this way
FSSAI Safe Food and Healthy Diets for School Children Regulations 2020 (gazette 4 Sep 2020): reg 1(2) says reg 3(5) (no HFSS sold on school premises) and reg 5(1) (no HFSS sale within 50 m of the gate) come into force only on a date FSSAI notifies; no such notification found (8 Nov 2026). The Aug 2026 draft amendment is still defining HFSS. State drives (Maharashtra, Karnataka 2026) are state enforcement. Amber.
Federal snack limits bind only schools in the lunch program.
Source: USDA Smart Snacks (2024)
Why we rate it this way
USDA Smart Snacks in School: binding federal sugar/fat/sodium/calorie limits on all food sold to students, but only in schools in the National School Lunch Program (participation voluntary); updated rule effective 1 Jul 2024, fully in force 2025-26
England, Scotland, Wales and NI each have their own school rules.
Source: School Food Standards 2014
Why we rate it this way
England: Requirements for School Food Regs 2014 bind maintained schools and newer academies, not all academies or private schools; Scotland, Wales and NI have their own rules - no single UK-wide rule
Junk food limits are set province by province, not nationally.
Source: Provincial school policies
Why we rate it this way
No federal rule; school food and beverage sale standards are provincial (e.g. Ontario PPM 150, 2011)
Each state runs its own canteen rules; no national ban.
Source: State canteen strategies
Why we rate it this way
No national rule; canteen sale rules are state/territory policies (e.g. NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy, QLD Smart Choices)
Only some states ban junk food sales; federal bill still pending.
Source: FNDE Res. 3/2025
Why we rate it this way
No federal ban on canteen sales (bill PL 4.501/2020 still in Senate committees, Feb 2026); federal school-meal rule caps processed/ultra-processed at 15% (2025); states like Paraná and Ceará ban sales
2021 law bars warning-label school food; provinces apply it unevenly.
Source: Ley 27.642 art. 12
Why we rate it this way
Law 27.642 art. 12 (2021) bars warning-label foods in schools of the national system, but provinces run schools and adhesion is uneven; Entre Ríos court ordered compliance Aug 2026, province appealed
2021 law calls for healthy school shops; sale ban not yet in force.
Source: Ley 2120 de 2021
Why we rate it this way
Law 2120/2021 orders healthy school environments and warning labels; no in-force national school-shop sale ban found (Ministry regulation of 'tiendas escolares saludables' not issued)
School shop menus must be health-vetted; no outright ban.
Source: EMMI decree 20/2012 §130
Why we rate it this way
Decree 20/2012 §130: school buffet/vending range needs the school health service's approval against healthy-eating rules; snack-tax products steered out, but parents' body can override - not an outright ban
Sugar and salt limits for school snacks apply to basic schools only.
Source: Vyhláška 282/2016
Why we rate it this way
Decree 282/2016 ('snack decree'), loosened by 160/2018 from 1 Sep 2018: sugar/salt/fat limits for food sold in schools apply only to compulsory-attendance (basic) schools, not secondary schools
School shops told to 'avoid' salty, sugary, fatty food - not a ban.
Source: School food rules 2019
Why we rate it this way
Provisions on School Food Safety and Nutrition and Health (MOE/SAMR/NHC, in force 1 Apr 2019): primary/secondary schools should generally not run shops; where they do, they should avoid selling high-salt, sugar, fat foods
Only Bangkok's city schools are ordered to stop selling soda.
Source: Bangkok (BMA) order
Why we rate it this way
No national Ministry of Education ban found; soda-free schools promoted (3,000+ model schools, MoE 2020); Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ordered its schools to stop selling soft drinks (Bangkokbiznews Aug 2026)
PM directive urges soda-free schools; only HCMC has a firm rule.
Source: Directive 46/CT-TTg 2017
Why we rate it this way
PM Directive 46/CT-TTg (2017) on nutrition calls for no soft drinks or harmful food in schools; binding local rule only in Ho Chi Minh City (DOET 4126/GDDT-CTTT, 30 Nov 2018)
Only Punjab province bans junk food and soda in school canteens.
Source: Punjab Food Authority
Why we rate it this way
No federal rule; Punjab Food Authority banned junk food, soft and energy drinks in school canteens of the province (2017 onward; inspection drive fined 97 of 632 canteens)
Soda and chips banned from meals in boarding and special schools only.
Source: CoM Decision 314/2025
Why we rate it this way
Cabinet of Ministers Decision 314 of 21 Oct 2025, Annex 2 note 3: soda, energy drinks, coffee, concentrated juices, kvass, chips and similar snacks, chewing gum, caramel and cream sweets are not used in feeding children - but the annex covers preschools, boarding-type and special general schools and rehab centres only, not ordinary day schools' buffets. AFSA (via MNTV, 10 Mar 2026) says they may not be sold in schools; no primary text extends it to all schools -> amber.
Only voluntary tuck-shop guidelines; most still sell sugary drinks.
Source: NSNP tuck shop guidelines
Why we rate it this way
No binding national rule; Department of Basic Education NSNP tuck-shop guidelines are voluntary; 2022 audit: 54% of tuck shops still sold sugary soft drinks (Wits/The Conversation)
Show the 149 countries where it is allowed
No qualifying national law was found for these countries in the sources under Sources.
All 195 countries: is junk food in schools banned?
AfghanistanAllowed
AlbaniaAllowed
AlgeriaAllowed
AndorraAllowed
AngolaAllowed
Antigua & BarbudaAllowed
ArgentinaRestricted
ArmeniaAllowed
AustraliaRestricted
AustriaAllowed
AzerbaijanRestricted
BahamasAllowed
BahrainAllowed
BangladeshAllowed
BarbadosAllowed
BelarusAllowed
BelgiumAllowed
BelizeAllowed
BeninAllowed
BhutanAllowed
BoliviaAllowed
Bosnia & HerzegovinaAllowed
BotswanaAllowed
BrazilRestricted
BruneiAllowed
BulgariaAllowed
Burkina FasoAllowed
BurundiAllowed
CambodiaAllowed
CameroonAllowed
CanadaRestricted
Cape VerdeAllowed
Central African RepublicAllowed
ChadAllowed
ChileBanned
ChinaRestricted
ColombiaRestricted
ComorosAllowed
Congo - BrazzavilleAllowed
Congo - KinshasaAllowed
Costa RicaBanned
CroatiaAllowed
CubaAllowed
CyprusAllowed
CzechiaRestricted
Côte d’IvoireAllowed
DenmarkAllowed
DjiboutiAllowed
DominicaAllowed
Dominican RepublicAllowed
EcuadorBanned
EgyptAllowed
El SalvadorAllowed
Equatorial GuineaAllowed
EritreaAllowed
EstoniaAllowed
EswatiniAllowed
EthiopiaAllowed
FijiAllowed
FinlandAllowed
FranceBanned
GabonAllowed
GambiaAllowed
GeorgiaRestricted
GermanyAllowed
GhanaAllowed
GreeceBanned
GrenadaAllowed
GuatemalaAllowed
GuineaAllowed
Guinea-BissauAllowed
GuyanaAllowed
HaitiAllowed
HondurasAllowed
HungaryRestricted
IcelandAllowed
IndiaRestricted
IndonesiaAllowed
IranBanned
IraqAllowed
IrelandAllowed
IsraelBanned
ItalyAllowed
JamaicaAllowed
JapanAllowed
JordanAllowed
KazakhstanBanned
KenyaAllowed
KiribatiAllowed
KuwaitBanned
KyrgyzstanAllowed
LaosAllowed
LatviaBanned
LebanonAllowed
LesothoAllowed
LiberiaAllowed
LibyaAllowed
LiechtensteinAllowed
LithuaniaAllowed
LuxembourgAllowed
MadagascarAllowed
MalawiAllowed
MalaysiaBanned
MaldivesAllowed
MaliAllowed
MaltaAllowed
Marshall IslandsAllowed
MauritaniaAllowed
MauritiusAllowed
MexicoBanned
MicronesiaAllowed
MoldovaAllowed
MonacoAllowed
MongoliaAllowed
MontenegroAllowed
MoroccoAllowed
MozambiqueAllowed
Myanmar (Burma)Allowed
NamibiaAllowed
NauruAllowed
NepalAllowed
NetherlandsAllowed
New ZealandAllowed
NicaraguaAllowed
NigerAllowed
NigeriaAllowed
North KoreaAllowed
North MacedoniaAllowed
NorwayAllowed
OmanAllowed
PakistanRestricted
PalauAllowed
Palestinian TerritoriesAllowed
PanamaAllowed
Papua New GuineaAllowed
ParaguayAllowed
PeruBanned
PhilippinesBanned
PolandBanned
PortugalBanned
QatarBanned
RomaniaBanned
RussiaBanned
RwandaAllowed
SamoaAllowed
San MarinoAllowed
Saudi ArabiaBanned
SenegalAllowed
SerbiaAllowed
SeychellesAllowed
Sierra LeoneAllowed
SingaporeAllowed
SlovakiaBanned
SloveniaBanned
Solomon IslandsAllowed
SomaliaAllowed
South AfricaRestricted
South KoreaBanned
South SudanAllowed
SpainBanned
Sri LankaAllowed
St. Kitts & NevisAllowed
St. LuciaAllowed
St. Vincent & GrenadinesAllowed
SudanAllowed
SurinameAllowed
SwedenAllowed
SwitzerlandAllowed
SyriaAllowed
São Tomé & PríncipeAllowed
TajikistanAllowed
TanzaniaAllowed
ThailandRestricted
Timor-LesteAllowed
TogoAllowed
TongaAllowed
Trinidad & TobagoAllowed
TunisiaAllowed
TurkmenistanAllowed
TuvaluAllowed
TürkiyeBanned
UgandaAllowed
UkraineBanned
United Arab EmiratesBanned
United KingdomRestricted
United StatesRestricted
UruguayBanned
UzbekistanBanned
VanuatuAllowed
Vatican CityAllowed
VenezuelaAllowed
VietnamRestricted
YemenAllowed
ZambiaAllowed
ZimbabweAllowed
Sources
Red = a national rule in force in 2026 that bans selling junk food or sugary drinks in all (at least all public) schools; amber = only some states, some school levels, an opt-in programme or voluntary guidelines.
- National gazettes and ministries: DOF 30 Sep 2024 (MX); BOE RD 315/2025 (ES); DepEd DO 13 s.2017 (PH); Ley 20.606 (CL); RM 195-2019-MINSA (PE); Ley 20.075 art.293 (UY); Despacho 8127/2021 (PT); Dz.U. 2026 poz.197 (PL); Ord. MS 1563/2008 (RO); SanPiN 2.3/2.4.3590-20 (RU); CMU 305/2021 (UA); MEB 2016 (TR); FSS School Regs 2020 (IN)
- Press on ministry orders: Gulf News (SA Sep 2026, UAE Apr 2026), The Peninsula (QA), Malay Mail 27 Sep 2025 (MY), RTVS 17 Mar 2023 (SK), ThePressProject 5 Jun 2026 (GR), JAMnews 2017 (GE), Aftab/Jamejam (IR), Informburo (KZ), Anhor.uz (UZ), Mako 2016 (IL)
- Amber evidence: USDA Smart Snacks rule (2024), Senate PL 4.501/2020 (BR), Entre Rios ruling Aug 2026 (AR), vyhlaska 282/2016 + 160/2018 (CZ), EMMI 20/2012 (HU), Wits audit 2022 (ZA), Punjab Food Authority (PK)
Each country in the lists names the source for its rule; countries not listed had no qualifying national law in these sources. Laws as of Nov 8, 2026. We map the law on the books, not how well it is enforced.
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