Avaliação da qualidade nutricional dos cardápios de escolas públicas em uma capital do Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The National School Feeding Program (PNAE) guarantees students' right to food and nutritional security, aimed at meeting their needs during their time at school. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the menus of municipal and state schools in a northeastern capital, using the IQ COSAN menu evaluation tool. The daily, weekly and monthly frequency of food groups in 8 of the menus was evaluated, as well as the absence of prohibited foods. The level of adequacy of the menus was based on the tool's classification: inadequate, needs improvement or adequate. There was a low supply of fresh fruit, sociobiodiversity and regional foods, and vitamin A source foods. The frequency of ultra-processed foods and prohibited foods were within the limits recommended by the PNAE. After thorough analysis, the menus scored an average of 48 points (state schools) and 71.5 points (municipal schools), classifying them as "in need of improvement." Thus, in order to comply with the PNAE standards, it is necessary to transfer sufficient financial resources from the implementing entities and the continuous use of the IQ COSAN tool for planning and evaluating school menus.