Ice cream, chocolate, jelly, caramel, soft-boiled eggs, cold drinks, tea, and several other food items will no longer be available in Armenia’s kindergartens. The Armenian government has introduced a new nutrition standard for preschool institutions, citing a steady rise in childhood obesity. The regulations came into force on January 1, 2026.
The new rules apply to all preschool groups and define both nutritional standards and meal schedules, based on the amount of time children spend at kindergartens.
According to the decision, children’s daily diets must meet strict nutritional ratios. Carbohydrates should account for 45–65% of total daily energy intake, with added sugars capped at 10%. Fat intake is limited to 30–40% for children aged 1–3 and 25–35% for those aged 3–6, while saturated fats must not exceed 10%. Protein intake should make up 5–20% of energy for younger children and 10–30% for those aged 3–6. Kindergartens are also required to plan menus in advance, for periods of 10–12 days.
For round-the-clock preschool groups, meals must be provided four to five times a day, with no more than 3.5–4 hours between meals for children aged 3–6 and 2–3 hours for children aged 1–2. All children must receive at least two hot meals daily. Salt will no longer be freely available during meals, and the use of spices will be strictly limited.
The regulations also impose broad food safety restrictions. Caffeinated beverages—including tea—are banned, as are cream-based pastries, chocolate, and chocolate-coated products. Only fruit-based desserts containing at least 50% fruit will be allowed.
To reduce the risk of infectious diseases and food poisoning, kindergartens are prohibited from using food products without proper safety certification. The ban includes meat and eggs from waterfowl such as ducks and geese; eggs with unwashed shells; raw or soft-boiled eggs; homemade preserves; cream-filled cakes and pastries; jellied meat and fish products; khash; homemade pâtés and processed meats; pasta with minced meat; mushrooms and mushroom broths; sausages; frozen meat and fish products; raw smoked meats such as basturma and sujuk; ice cream, jelly, and caramel; foods containing artificial sweeteners; unboiled milk; and homemade dairy products, including cottage cheese made from unpasteurized milk.
Cold drinks prepared without heat treatment, syrups, kvass, food concentrates, and dishes made from them are also prohibited in preschool kitchens.
Officials say the new rules are intended to improve children’s long-term health, align preschool nutrition with international standards, and reduce preventable health risks at an early age.
