Spain caps hospital ready meals at three a month
Three portions of ready meals a month: that is the new limit for hospitals and care homes across Spain. For under-18s, it is just one portion. The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the decree in Madrid on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. It covers public and private hospitals, residential care centres and nurseries for children up to three years old.
Health Minister Mónica García said menus would feature more fresh, seasonal food, including fruit, vegetables, fish and pulses. The rules also aim to cut back on ready meals, fried food and sugar. They restrict foods high in saturated fat, sugar or added salt, with tighter standards for children and teenagers.
The decree also covers publicly owned libraries, universities and museums. Under its vending-machine rules, 70 per cent of the food and drink on offer must be healthy and placed where it is most visible. Sugary drinks and energy drinks will have a smaller place in the machines.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com