Kazakhstan's school meal reforms face weak enforcement and unsafe snacks

Concerns over food safety and unhealthy eating habits among children in Kazakhstan are growing. Many small shops near schools sell processed foods and drinks with unclear ingredients, some of which may pose health risks. Despite regulations, enforcement remains weak, leaving young consumers exposed to potential dangers. Kazakhstan has introduced stricter school meal standards, set to begin on 1 September 2025. These rules will cut sugar, ban carbonated drinks, and remove fast food from school menus. Yet, outside school premises, neighbourhood shops continue selling questionable products with little oversight.

A moratorium on inspections of small businesses has left many vendors unchecked. This lack of regulation means energy drinks, often banned for those under 21, are still widely sold to teenagers. Nearly 70% of Kazakh teens consume these drinks at least once a month. In 2024, reports linked 24 cases of mass child poisonings to candies and drinks, though no official confirmation was provided by authorities. The last documented case of mass poisoning occurred in 2011, when 39 children fell ill from E. coli in a train restaurant in the Kyzylorda region. To tackle poor diets, the Kazakh Academy of Nutrition is developing digital tools like NutriSteppe and Balaman AI. These programmes aim to teach children about healthy eating. Meanwhile, over 60% of chronic diseases in the country are tied to unhealthy food choices. Unlike the U.S. and EU, Kazakhstan lacks advanced systems like digital labelling or Track and Trace technology. These systems help trace products and penalise counterfeit goods, ensuring safer consumption.

The new school meal rules mark a step toward better nutrition for children. However, weak enforcement and unregulated sales of harmful products remain key challenges. Without stricter oversight, public health risks from unsafe foods and drinks could persist.