Goal

By 2030, controls will be tightened over unhealthy food available in student catering in the public education system.

FROM Commitment: Healthy Food Systems

Government (non-donor capacity) / Costa Rica

Ministerio de Salud, Costa Rica

Partner organisations:
Civil society organisation (CSO) or non-governmental organisation (NGO): Fundación Costarricense de Gastronomía (FUCOGA)
Country government at any administrative level: Ministerio de Salud y Drección de CEN-CINAI, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
Academic or non-academic research institution: Escuela de Nutrición de la Universidad de Costa Rica
Date made: 02 Dec 2021
Related event: 2021 Tokyo N4G Summit | 2021 UN Food Systems Summit
Verification status Verified Find out more
NAF SMARTness index High Find out more
Progress status On course See progress details
Targeted location National - Todo el territorio nacional
Targeted population Specific population group(s)
Targeted population age Specific age group(s)
Targeted population specific age Students from 7 to 18 years of age
Targeted population sex All
Population coverage 39,434.0
Duration January, 2022 - December, 2030

Goal action plan

Since 2012, an executive decree has been in place to regulate the operation and administration of the catering services in educational institutions, No. 36910-MEP-S. This decree aims to promote health and healthy eating habits in public schools. It prohibits the sale of high-energy, high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt/sodium products in student stores or kiosks. It also prohibits the advertising of these foods in educational institutions. The decree was signed off by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Health is responsible for enforcing the decree, with the support of Ministry of Education staff. However, the Ministry of Health has been unable to carry out the necessary monitoring of student catering services and stores, so the Ministry of Health has committed to implementing a more targeted strategy by 2021 in order to comply with the mandate of these regulations. The proper enforcement of this decree should mean that students will not have access to products high in energy, fat, sugar and salt and will have access to more healthy products such as fruits and vegetables. This will help prevent obesity in the student population.

Progress

Indicator

Primary indicator Number Of Student Catering Outlets Which Comply With The Guidelines, Out Of The Total Number Of Catering Services In Schools
Indicator monitor The Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is in the process of being implemented by a team comprising officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. Annual reports will be drafted to monitor the indicator

Reports

Stage Measurement Date Value Status
Baseline 2020 0
Progress report December 2024 60 On course
Given the current trajectory of progress, the target is on course to be met by the end date.
Target December, 2030 100%

Nutrition Action Classification

Enabling

  • Financial
  • Operational
  • Leadership and governance
  • Research monitoring and data

Policy

  • Food environment
  • Food supply chain
  • Consumer knowledge
  • Nutrition care services

Impact

  • Undernutrition
  • Diet
  • Obesity and diet-related NCDs
  • Food and nutrition security

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