The cafeterias of public schools in the Valencian Community in Spain will no longer be required to offer menus adapted to certain religions, such as Islam, starting this season.
The modification, driven by the right-wing party VOX in budget negotiations, establishes that special diets must respond exclusively to properly accredited medical reasons.
The change modifies the operation of school cafeterias and eliminates the obligation for public centers to adapt the general menu to certain religious practices. These include halal and kosher dietary options.
The reform affects Article 10 of Order 53/2012, published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana. The new text states that "the educational center may not offer menus where the slaughter of animals has not followed a prior stunning procedure".
VOX event
Only special menus for medical reasons
The modification is not limited to the type of slaughter of animals. The new regulation also establishes that schools will only be required to provide a different menu when there is a documented medical necessity through the corresponding documentation.
The text determines that an alternative must be offered "exclusively to cater to students who, through the corresponding medical certificate, prove the impossibility of consuming certain foods".
Thus, allergies, intolerances, and diagnosed conditions will be the circumstances that will require the educational administration to modify the food provided to a student. In contrast, preferences related to religious, ethical, or personal convictions will no longer create that obligation for public centers.
The new scheme establishes, in this way, a common dietary regime for school cafeterias, while adaptations that respond exclusively to beliefs or personal convictions will be the responsibility of families.
Santiago Abascal
A measure demanded by VOX
The reform is part of the measures defended by VOX during the negotiation of the regional budgets. The party had proposed as one of its demands that public services not alter their operation to adapt to certain requirements related to Islam.
The modification finally approved also establishes criteria related to the origin of the foods used in school cafeterias. Centers must promote the use of local foods that are "consistent with Spanish products".
This point incorporates into the school cafeteria regulations a criterion for promoting Spanish products, within a policy aimed at prioritizing local foods and culture.
With the entry into force of the modification, public educational centers in the Valencian Community must implement a common food regime, with alternative menus required only when there is a certified medical necessity.
