Brazil Removes Ultra-Processed Foods from Public Schools and Hospitals

Governments and health leaders in Brazil are removing ultra-processed foods from public institutions. After introducing strict limits in schools, officials now want to remove these foods from public hospitals. Decades ago, hospital and school kitchens started using ready-made products to save money and time. However, new state laws now require kitchens to replace these items with fresh ingredients from local farms. For example, Rio de Janeiro plans to completely remove processed food from its public hospitals over the next eight years.

This shift helps local farmers and changes how public kitchens prepare daily meals. New rules require schools to use 45 percent of their funding to buy fresh food from local families. Some states have already banned processed cookies and chocolate milk, replacing them with fresh fruit, rice, and beans. Daniel Soranz, the health secretary for Rio de Janeiro, said, "In two years, 30 percent of our hospitals will no longer use ultra-processed food." The real-world takeaway is that preparing fresh, local meals on-site helps public institutions support community health.

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Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

health leaders / ultra-processed foods / public institutions / strict limits / hospitals / ready-made products / save money / state laws / fresh ingredients / local farms / percent / funding / local families / banned / health secretary / preparing / on-site / community health

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Discussion

1) According to the text, what changes are happening to the food menus in Brazil's public schools and hospitals?

2) What kinds of fresh foods do you usually eat every day?

3) How often do you buy ready-made or packaged meals when you are busy?

4) In your country, do schools or workplaces offer healthy food options?

5) Who usually prepares the meals in your home, and what do they like to cook?

6) How do you feel when you eat fresh food compared to packaged snacks?

7) If you wanted to buy food from local farms in your town, where would you go?

8) What specific percentage of school funding must now be spent on local farm products in Brazil?