Regulamentação da Comercialização de Alimentos nas Cantinas Escolares do Brasil: mapeamento das legislações estaduais

Abstract

The school environment is a space that can interfere with the formation of habits and lifestyles, including food. One of the ways to purchase food is school canteens, where the most commercialized foods have been high-calorie and ultra-processed. Considering that childhood obesity is a global epidemic, legal provisions are created to regulate the sale of food in school canteens. Thus, the aim of this study was to map the Brazilian state legislation that regulates the sale of food in the school environment. A descriptive study of document analysis was carried out. The laws were searched on search engines, from May to July 2021. There were thirty-one legal provisions that regulate the commerce of food and beverages in schools, of which 70.9% (n=22) were identified as laws, ordinances 12.9% (n=4), resolutions 6.4% (n=2), decrees 6.4% (n=2) and normative instruction 3.2% (n=1). It was found that in these devices the description of prohibited foods (77.4%, n=24), allowed (29.0%, n=9), mandatory (35.48%, n=11) and the addition of optional sugar (12.90%, n=4). The administrative specificities described were inspections (51.61%, n=16) and non-compliance with legal provisions (58.0%, n=18). Food and Nutrition Education actions were identified as the availability of communication material (22.5%, n=7), programs and campaigns (19.35%, n=6) and training 19.4% (n= 6). It is concluded that the most current legislation on the trade of food in school canteens has been improved, but there is still a big gap regarding the permitted foods, involving the choice of adequate foods. Penalties, inspection and training must be properly analyzed and directed, along with the development of food and nutrition education actions.