Poland is experiencing a major shift in national food policy. In November and December 2025, the Ministry of Health announced groundbreaking commitments to guarantee access to plant-based meals in two critical public sectors including educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
Schools and nurseries – years of groundwork pay off
For years, Polish children following plant-based diets faced exclusion from school meal programs. The original draft regulation governing nutrition in educational establishments mandated serving meat and dairy products without genuine alternatives,
When the Ministry of Health opened public consultations on educational nutrition standards in June 2025, approximately 800 submissions flooded the Ministry. A number that reflects the public mobilization after several years of campaigning and action by EVU member, Green REV Institute, with their Plant Based School programme. This programme advocates for introducing plant-based meal options in school cafeterias and educating students about sustainable, health-conscious food choices.
In response to this civic engagement, the Ministry of Health pledged four specific changes:
- Plant-Based as an alternative to main meals. On days when meat or fish is served, schools and nurseries must provide alternative plant-based dishes, prepared particularly using legumes.
- Universal application. The alternative meal mechanism applies to all establishments, including those serving only lunches, without exceptions.
- Dairy product substitution. Children can substitute both daily portions of dairy products with plant-based drinks or plant-based alternatives to dairy products.
- Precise terminology. The Ministry adopted the term “plant-based alternatives to dairy products”, facilitating clear implementation.
Anna Spurek, CEO of Green REV Institute, about the victory: “This is just the beginning. Doors are opening for real action together with schools, headteachers, local authorities and hospitals for food that is not only harmless, but also builds a healthier, more conscious and resilient society. Climate and food democracy begin in education and hospitals. We are very happy. We declare that we will do even more to counteract the disaster on our plates, and we are working on it.”
Hospitals – protecting patient rights during vulnerable moments
While the Plant Based School programme fought for children’s rights, similar injustices are also found in healthcare facilities. Polish hospitals operate without guarantees for patients seeking meals aligned with their beliefs.
When the Department of Health launched consultations on nutrition standards in hospitals, the newly formed Safe Food Federation (May 2025), established by the Green REV Institute submitted a comprehensive legal analysis. The arguments were based on the Polish Constitution’s non-discrimination and freedom of conscience articles, as well as on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and European Convention on Human Rights.
On December 4, 2025, the Ministry of Health published its first response to consultations, that could mean bringing real changes to the national legislation:
- Cultural and belief-based protections. The report presented by the Ministry explicitly acknowledges patients’ cultural requirements, religious beliefs, denomination, and worldview as factors requiring accommodation.
- Direct response to advocacy. The Ministry confirmed that provisions were modified during consultations as a direct result of civil society’s engagement.
- Reduced bureaucracy. The requirement to record belief-related information in medical documentation was removed, eliminating barriers that could discourage patients from requesting appropriate meals.
What comes next
The Ministry is still to present the final versions of both pieces of legislation. Work is ongoing but civil society organisations pledge to ensure that all of the Ministry of Health’s declarations are implemented in schools, nurseries and hospitals.
This is a guest post in collaboration with EVU Member, Green REV Institute.
