School buffets in Azerbaijan have come under renewed public scrutiny after parents and nutrition experts raised concerns about the quality and nutritional value of food sold to students.
While the Education Agency insists that school canteens operate under strict hygiene and dietary regulations, parents and health professionals argue that menus remain dominated by pastries, sausages, chips, and sugary drinks.
According to the State Agency for Preschool and General Education, all catering in schools is regulated by government decrees and monitored regularly.
“The quality and safety of food products are the responsibility of the catering companies contracted by schools,” the agency said, adding that regular inspections aim to ensure no prohibited items-such as unpasteurized milk, cream-filled cakes, or fried pastries—are sold.
However, parents paint a different picture. Social media discussions reveal widespread complaints about monotonous and unhealthy menus.
“Croutons, chips, lollipops, buns-nothing nutritious,” one mother wrote on Facebook. Others say they stopped giving their children lunch money altogether to discourage junk food purchases.
Nutritionist Narmine Ibrahimova told Media.Az that most school buffets still rely on fast carbohydrates and processed snacks, which lead to short bursts of energy followed by fatigue and poor concentration.
“Children need balanced meals that include protein, complex carbs, and fresh produce,” she said. “Sweets and pastries might satisfy hunger for half an hour, but they don’t help children stay focused.”
The doctor added that regular consumption of sugary and fatty foods can increase the risk of obesity and metabolic problems, while balanced diets rich in eggs, dairy, lean meats, vegetables, and water improve learning capacity and mental endurance.
“A healthy school menu isn’t just about filling up-it shapes lifelong eating habits,” Ibrahimova stressed. “If we want our children to learn well and stay active, they need real food, not just buns and sodas.”
