Dr. Ilenia Sisinni, a graduate of the Faculty of Law and a practicing lawyer at the Law Firm Maiorino of Cava de 'Tirreni, is interested in clarifying some points regarding the right to a healthy diet in terms of legal and food, with a particular attention to school meals.
Dr. Sisinni, can we say that health, instead of confirming itself as a fundamental right of the person, is turning into a consumer good?
Yes. The protection of health, as is well known, is defined by article 32 of our Constitution as a fundamental right of the individual. Often, however, it has been verified that health protection has become the subject of negotiations between governments and multinational companies. Even a healthy diet has suffered the same fate: it tends, in fact, to advertise mostly "junk food", the so-called "junk food" rather than natural products.
What is the spread of fast food?
Perhaps a wrong globalization. The rhythms of life have become increasingly hectic, but where food-fast food is junk it is obvious that the choice is not positive. We Italians, though, we can still save us because in Italy the food is culture and identity. Recall that the Mediterranean diet, our diet, has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO! And it is precisely for this reason that education, nutrition, and health should go hand in hand. Also thanks to the legislation!
How can education, nutrition, and health go hand in hand?
If food is culture it must also be the object of study. So why not go through school? Our school! We must accompany children on this journey because the school is, naturally alongside the family, the place where the typical habits of a specific culture are made. The Food Education practiced in the Italian Schools would serve to help young people build a good relationship with food and just EXPO 2015 was a fundamental opportunity to discuss the triad of education - nutrition - health.
Can a "healthy" food education in schools be sufficient to protect the right to a healthy diet, especially for the youngest?
No. It's a good place to start, but it's not enough. From a more practical point of view, we must turn our attention to the fact that schools are not only a place for learning but also a place where children often eat at least one meal of the day. It is, therefore, necessary to have guidelines to follow.
Dott.ssa Sisinni, how did the Ministries of competence be interested in school meals? Here we recall the “Guidelines for national school catering", approved in the State-Regions Conference, published in the Official Gazette No. 13 of 11 June 2010, (most recently integrated with the Note of 25 March 2016). This provision intends to ensure that the catering establishments in schools have the indications of the recommended daily intake levels of nutrients for the Italian population (LARN), elaborated by SINU (Italian Society of Human Nutrition) for the different age groups; the premises and equipment must comply with current legislation; preparation or transport must comply with the intended hygiene conditions; the staff must have adequate preparation.
A useful tool to inform parents/guardians about the way school meals are held?
The tender documents. It is a document in which the contractual obligations are defined between Municipalities, Schools and suppliers, both when management is direct and the Schools purchase only food supplies, and when the service is contracted. It specifies the ways in which the catering service in schools is provided, a service that must meet the criteria of quality and satisfaction (preferring short-chain food, short transport times, DOP, PGI, and STG foods ...).
Does the school menu also include pizza?
Not always. Just look at Table N ° 2 of the document prepared by the Ministry of Health. It is intended as a single dish, but we refer to the pizza seasoned exclusively with extra virgin olive oil, with dough that has a leavening of at least 24 hours. Furthermore, the products used must be ingredients that meet the criteria of excellence. The menus must meet the characteristics of the variety, seasonality à, nutritional quality, and must be prepared on 4/5 weeks. Each meal must include a side dish of vegetables/vegetables, non-fatty bread, seasonal fruit of at least three different types during the week. Salt should be used moderately and in any case always iodized. It is also important to give the opportunity to have lunch at school even for children who have food intolerances or allergies, through the provision of special diets.
Do you want to appeal to someone in particular?
Dialogue and the exchange of information between the Family, School, Asl, Municipalities, and Businesses are essential, so I appeal to the parents of caves (... and not only) to pay more attention to school meals as well as a healthy and correct diet even at home. In 2014, a cognitive survey concerning the school catering service launched by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, University and Research, revealed, through questionnaires, that unfortunately there is still a percentage of school complexes that do not apply the national guidelines.
When it is necessary to launch a cry of protest against food service managers to highlight the poor quality of some dishes, do it! If you need constant control over the menus and their changes, do it! The protection of the right to a healthy diet is a fundamental right for all of us and especially for the little ones.