Major Changes in Schools: New Nutrition Rules and Controversies Over Health Education

The Ministry of Health has finalized work on a groundbreaking regulation concerning the nutrition of children and youth in the education system. The new rules, which will come into force on September 1, 2026, will cover over 3 million students in 36,000 institutions. A key element of the reform is the introduction of planetary diet principles. According to the guidelines, school cafeterias will be obligated to serve at least one fully plant-based meal per week. Importantly, after extensive public consultations, the ministry decided to withdraw from the initial plan to ban coffee sales in vending machines, yielding to arguments from the vending industry. In 2015, Poland introduced the so-called 'sklepik law,' which radically limited access to unhealthy food, sparking a wave of protests among students and buffet owners at the time. Simultaneously, the Ministry of National Education faces criticism regarding health education. Barbara Nowacka admitted that this subject, introduced in September 2025, does not enjoy high attendance, as only 30% of students participate. Controversy arose from teacher training conducted by the Education Development Centre, during which issues of gender transition were discussed. The Coalition for Saving Polish Schools warns that the program may promote ideology inconsistent with the values of many families. However, the head of the ministry declared a willingness to reach a compromise by the end of March 2026. 30% — students participate in health education classes In the area of digitalization, the Ministry of Digital Affairs announced a thorough modernization of the National Educational Network. Significant investments in infrastructure are planned to provide institutions with safe and fast internet access. Additionally, the education ministry is considering introducing regulations to limit children's access to social media, intended as a response to growing youth mental health problems. Drafts of these changes are to be prepared by the Civic Coalition Club in the coming months. Changes in cafeterias and school shops: Plant-based dishes: no requirements → min. 1 per week; Coffee sales: allowed → maintained (ban withdrawn); Planetary diet: no standards → mandatory guidelines „This is a reform entering primary schools from September 2026. It is being introduced gradually and evolutionarily, because change is very much needed in Polish schools.” — Barbara Nowacka Emphasizes the need for modern health education, fighting obesity, and the necessity of digitizing educational institutions. | Warns against ideological indoctrination in schools and criticizes the ministry for yielding to business lobbying on the coffee issue.