Law guarantees minimal validity in school feeding and expands purchase of family farming
The House of Representatives concluded on Tuesday (9.Set.2025) the vote on the bill that determines that the foodstuffs acquired through the PNAE (National School Feeding Program) must be delivered by the contractors with a remaining period of more than half of the period between their date of manufacture and their final date. As the text has passed the Senate, now goes to the president’s sanction (PT).
The deputies approved, in symbolic vote, Senate amendments to the text. Only the New Party voted against.
According to the proposal, the rule applies only to foodstuffs with legal obligation to display expiration date, excluding those from family farming. The determination of the minimum validity requirement must be the convening instruments and PNAE food acquisition contracts.
The rapporteur of the project, deputy (PT-PI), said that the incorporation of the rule aims to curb the sending of food near the salary to schools, ensuring higher quality, safety in school meals, avoiding the distribution of inadequate products or with nutritional value committed to students.
“In addition to directly protecting students from the health of the students, the minimum shelf life will contribute to avoid waste of resources and food, as it reduces the likelihood of disposal of due products before consumption.”these.
Another amendment is the one that raises, from January 1, 2026, from 30% to 45% the minimum percentage of PNAE resources that should be used in the acquisition of foodstuffs directly from family farming and rural family entrepreneur, or their organizations.
“By directing nearly half of family farming resources to family farming, the law expands the offer of fresh, healthy and locally produced foods in schools, diversifying menus and enriching students’ diet with higher nutritional value items. In addition to strengthening student food and nutritional security, the measurement of local rural economies, producing income for small farmers and family cooperatives and stimulating practices of practices of practices sustainable agriculture ”said the rapporteur.
The text also says that the supervisory role of the Caes (school feeding councils) should be explicit in the inspection of contracts.
“By including the expiration period clause already in the edicts and contracts, the standard ensures that suppliers and managers are linked beforehand to comply with the requirement, integrating the new rule with public purchase operational procedures.”concluded.
With information from.
