Official spokesperson for the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Dr. Shaima Al-Asfour

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 7: The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) has completed accreditation of supplying companies and investors to manage and operate school cafeterias for the 2025/2026 academic year.

PAFN spokesperson Dr. Shaima Al-Asfour told KUNA that 36 companies applied for approval, with 20 meeting all requirements under the executive regulations for school cafeterias set by Ministerial Resolution No. 15 of 2025.

She said the updated regulations aim to improve students’ health and promote healthy eating habits by raising the quality and variety of foods provided in schools. The rules prohibit the sale of products harmful to students, including soft drinks, energy drinks, caffeine-containing beverages, foods high in sugar or trans fats, fast food, canned noodles, certain artificial colors, high-calorie sauces, and processed meats.

Kuwait strengthens school nutrition standards for 2025/2026.

Dr. Al-Asfour added that investors will now directly manage and operate school cafeterias under the supervision of PAFN to ensure safe and healthy food provision. “The investor is the natural or legal person responsible for providing permitted food items and managing the cafeteria in accordance with health and nutritional requirements under the authority’s direct supervision,” she said.

The authority emphasized that investors are fully responsible for complying with approved health and nutrition standards. This initiative is part of Kuwait’s efforts to combat childhood obesity, prevent chronic non-communicable diseases, and support the country’s sustainable development goals under the "New Kuwait 2035" vision.