Government Withdraws Ban on Coffee Sales in Schools, but Ministry Announces Another Attempt

The Ministry of Health has withdrawn from the controversial idea of banning coffee sales in schools. This provision did not appear in the regulation on nutrition in educational institutions published this week, which will come into force on September 1, 2026. The decision was made after numerous protests and public criticism of the proposal. The new regulations precisely define the list of products permitted for sale in school shops and vending machines. This list includes sandwiches, salads, plant-based drinks, and dark chocolate. The regulation also introduces strict limits on sugar content in beverages and new requirements for meals served in canteens. The aim of the reform is to improve the quality of student nutrition and eliminate highly processed food from their diet. However, Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda does not hide that the ministry is not giving up on the idea of a coffee ban. Polish regulations concerning school nutrition have been successively tightened since 2015, when a ban on the sale of so-called junk food was first introduced. Previous regulations mainly concerned the elimination of sweets and sugary carbonated drinks. In an interview with Radio ZET, the minister admitted that perhaps the previous attempt to introduce the ban was too early, but announced another approach to this topic. „Nie jestem absolutnie za tym, by spożycie kofeiny w szkołach się odbywało. Być może było za wcześnie. Będziemy próbować ponownie.” (I am absolutely not in favor of caffeine consumption taking place in schools. Perhaps it was too early. We will try again.) — Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda The ministry is aware that the topic evokes emotions and controversy, but argues that excessive caffeine consumption can negatively affect the concentration and development of young people. Voices have also appeared in the media suggesting that Ministry of Health employees may have been influenced by coffee producer lobbyists, which the ministry firmly denies. The new regulation is the next stage of reforming the nutrition system in Polish schools. It introduces more restrictive standards than previous regulations, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and youth. Nutrition experts emphasize that it is crucial not only to limit access to unhealthy products but also to provide nutritional education and ensure attractive alternatives. Many schools are already introducing programs promoting healthy habits, and the new regulations are intended to unify these actions nationwide. Changes in Food Sales in Schools from September 2026: Coffee: Sale permitted in vending machines → Planned ban withdrawn from regulation; Sweetened drinks: No precise sugar limits → Strict sugar content limits; Shop assortment: Partial restrictions → List of permitted products The debate on banning coffee in schools reflects a broader social dispute about the limits of state interference in the consumer choices of citizens, even the youngest. On one hand, arguments appear about the need to protect children's health; on the other – about the right to independent decisions and parental responsibility. This issue evokes particular emotions in the context of older secondary school students, who often reach for coffee as a stimulant before exams. Regardless of the further fate of the coffee ban, the new regulation constitutes a significant step towards a systemic change in the approach to nutrition in Polish education.