Foods and beverages available for purchase in school canteens from eight cities of Santa Catarina state, south of Brazil

Introduction: The high prevalence of obesity among schoolchildren in Brazil and worldwide shows that strategies to promote healthy eating are needed. In Santa Catarina State, south of Brazil, was promulgated in 2001 a Law to regulate school canteens. Santa Catarina has the second better Brazil Human Development Index, and was the first Brazilian State to create a specific legislation regarding foods available for purchase in school. Objective: Identity the existence of canteens in the State’s main cities and verify if foods available are in compliance with the Law. Methods: The eight cities intentionally selected have the biggest number of schools and enrollment in the State basic education. The sample resulted in 345 schools (269 public and 76 private). Structured questionnaire was applied with the canteen managers. Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Results: Of the 345 schools, 156 (45%) have canteens (59 private and 97 public). Among forbidden items by the Law, the majority of canteens do not offer soft drinks (90%); deep fried snacks (94%); chewing gums (75%) and Chips (73%). Cakes, pizzas, chocolates and candies are commercialized by 65%, 73%, 51% and 48% of the canteens, respectively. Of the total number of canteens, 67% offer artificial juices and only 23% commercialize 100% fruit juice. In accordance with the Law, the canteens must offer two types of fruits. However, 83% are not commercializing fruits yet. Conclusion: Important changes have occurred in the canteens after the Law. Many canteens closed, what could improve the National School-Feeding Program. Although the commercialization of inadequate food has been strongly reduced, the majority of canteens also offered poor nutritious choices.  The surveillance of these institutions is necessary, jointly with nutritional education action, in order to promote healthful eating habits and to supply subsidies to school-feeding public policies.