Vegetarianism Banned in French Schools

Being a vegetarian in France isn’t easy — fewer than 2 percent of the French population calls itself vegetarian — and the passing of a new law on October 3 is likely to make it all but impossible for schoolchildren to do so. The new rules do not place an outright ban on vegetarian meals, but, by mandating certain minimum nutritional requirements, “make it clear that the state believes all sources of protein should come from animal, not vegetable, products,” according to Brigitte Gothière of the vegetarian association L214.

All school canteens feeding more than 80 children must serve meals with specific quantities of protein, iron, calcium and fresh fruit:

Schools now have to provide meals which include a protein element with accompaniment, such as rice or vegetables, a dairy product (for example cheese or yoghurt) and either a starter or a pudding. The protein can be cheese but a dairy product is also obligatory as a separate element.

… On a 20-meal cycle, a minimum of four meals must include “quality meat” and four “quality fish,” and on the other days, egg, cheese or “abats” (offal) should be the main dish. Isabelle Dudouet-Bercegeay, president of the Association Végétarienne de France, says: “It’s a case of ‘If you don’t want your child to eat meat, don’t use the canteen.’”

Matthieu Grégory, food adviser to the minister said that the new laws adhere with national Nutrition Santé (nutrition and health) plans and provide a “balanced diet.” He did not outrule “menus with a substitution” on a “case by case basis” provided that “towns adhere to the decree.” But under the new decree, schools that serve vegetarian meals would be in effect breaking the law, while vegan meals would simply be impossible. L214 issued a statement saying that

The government has brought the law into school catering, imposing a model based on a high consumption of animal products and banning vegetarianism.”

20 members of L214 staged a protest on October 26, challenging the new rules.

The system for school meals in France is a quite different sort of affair than it is in the US where pizza, potatoes in various guises. hamburgers and sandwiches are the norm. Lunch in French schools can often consist of rabbit, veal, cassoulet or raclette with sausages. Children in the equivalent of preschool and elementary school are served only one meal option so, on the days when meat is part of the main dish — on most days, that is — there is no vegetarian option. Older children have a “self-service system” and can choose not to eat meat but, since a meat dish is most likely to be the only protein offered, they will inevitably end up with a nutritionally deficient meal.

A number of parents have voiced concerns about their children being in effect forced to eat meat. Children who are Jewish or Muslim are also affected by the new laws; they have already not been eating main courses if pork is used.

The new regulations for meals in French schools amount to what you could call state-mandated meat eating. In French schools, it would seem that there’s no freedom — no liberté — when it comes to what to eat, and no equality (égalité) about what counts as protein.

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Photo of cassoulet by telepathic paranoia

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Tim B.

8:46AM PST on Jan 20, 2012

Jennifer - where are the typos? Also - language is probably THE most effective way of retaining culture...

send a green star

Jennifer B.

8:36AM PST on Jan 20, 2012

Now I have a typo. It's hard to write on an iPhone.

8:35AM PST on Jan 20, 2012

Interesting story, but you have typos. "The system for school meals in France is a quite different sort of affair than it is in the US where pizza, potatoes in various guises. hamburgers and sandwiches are the norm." Your story would be stronger if you had a proofreader. Why can't they just offer peanut butter as a substitute for meat? Or edamame? It seems a bit small-minded. But this is a country that allows only allows French words to be adopted into their language, which is an ineffectual way to retain culture. The new dietary law will be as ineffectual I predict. People want to be vegetarians. Perhaps teaching them how to do this without compromising protein is more effective.

sharon t.

4:34PM PST on Dec 25, 2011

my kids go to an english school and the veggie option here is rubbish so they chose to take in a packed lunch.i have also lived in france and it is a very heavily meat based diet i mean u cant even have peas without the pork! i spent most of my time explaining what a vegetarian is as well.
i know its a shame but complain to the french authorites and the schools and hopefully in time we can raise awareness of a healthy diet.

New G.

4:33PM PST on Dec 25, 2011

Thank you for the information.

Olivia R.

2:14PM PST on Dec 25, 2011

I'm a lifelong vegetarian (and now vegan) who grew up in France, and it's always been a case of "if you don't want to eat meat, don't eat at the canteen". Even though vegetarianism and veganism is developping in France (as far as specialised restaurants are concerned anyway), it's still hard to have to constantly explain what a vegetarian is - or you end up with fish on your plate.

Susan L.

10:09AM PST on Dec 1, 2011

Food is very big business in France! Giving children no veg options for lunch reinforces "traditional" cuisine, which is very heavy on meat, fish, eggs, dairy. It's not just bad for the animals, but unhealthy for humans.

Probably the French agriculture people, who are very strong in France, are behind this. And the tourism industry too.

Before I was vegan I ordered a steak in Paris. Came with a big slab of butter on it! The amount of cheese eaten there is astronomical too. French people are big on blood sausages, brains, snails, raw oysters, raw horsemeat, all sorts of stuff most other people think are gross.

And yeah, even wine has isinglass in it, which is from fish bladders. It's not traditional, but helps the wine "clarify" more quickly. Ask for vegan wine, it exists.

There are vegan restaurants in France, look them up on the internet before you visit! Also the produce there is fabulous. Why they don't emphasize more fruits, veggies and salads in schools is really shameful. It's all about money! Too bad the kids can't rebel against this law, even homeschooling is prohibited by the French government.

10:57AM PST on Nov 15, 2011

Okay - a bit of good news! My wife says that trials in Bordeaux will probably go nationwide - and this is a "meat-free" option available - maybe Fish/Eggs/Vegetables...This has occurred because of the large numbers of Muslims in France. As the French won't tolerate halal meat (Thank God - umm pun intended) - then there is only the meat-free option. Voila!!! Though I despise halal and kosher slaughter - it seems our Muslim neighbours have unintentionally given vegetarians a piece of help. Or a piece of cheese etc...

John D.

10:18AM PST on Nov 15, 2011

There seems to be so much difference of opinion on this thread about what's actually happening. I know that a few years ago, 2 children could take a lunchbox, others here say youy can't now, others say you can.

However, I have maintained throughout that it seems to me that vegetarianism is not "banned" as such and that a meatless choice can be made from the alternatives offered.

9:00AM PST on Nov 15, 2011

I think if folk change then change will come ie more people turn to vegetarianism then pressure grows. Being a veg. is a moral/spiritual/dietary etc decision (depending). My wife (a French teacher) says children aren't allowed to bring lunch to school (she's a supply teacher at the mo so goes to different schools - but maybe her knowledge is partial)...I have always held in suspicion the - you can make a choice not to eat meat at 16 - type argument. It implies that eating meat is "normal" and not eating meat a decision to be taken later - an irrational decision to be taken when rational (I jest). But - as I've banged on - my son says a veggie can eat okay at school by choosing food from the different courses. Not ideal but it could work. Let's hope that halal is never the catalyst for change - keep it out of a laique country! One practical method might be to ensure salads etc are compliant with a meat/fish free diet...I mean this used to happen in England (it's only a dressing with a bit of meat/fish in it)...How about some vegetarian children in France telling us of their experiences? Any out there? (I'm meeting a French veggie family this Saturday and shall report back!)