Meat for school meals does not have to be Irish

The food provided to primary school students under the School Meals Scheme does not have to be of Irish origin, the Irish Farmers Journal can confirm.

When asked about the percentage of Irish beef, chicken and other meat that was included in meals in the programme for 2025, the Department of Social Protection said it didn’t have such records.

“There is no stipulation that food should originate from Ireland only. It should be noted that under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules,” the Department said.

The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them, a Department spokesperson added.

Review

A review of the scheme’s nutritional standards is underway and being finalised by a Department of Health dietitian.

An interim review saw the removal of any food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, from the school menu from last September 2025 onwards.

Meanwhile, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called for a full audit of the programme, claiming that some of the food provided in classrooms is of Brazilian origin, particularly meals including chicken.

Tóibín added said that he received information about school lunches that is “deeply concerning”.

“Some parents around the country and some schools have been contacting their suppliers to query the origin of the food being supplied to schools under the programme.

“In some instances companies have replied to say that “all meat is from Irish companies” but further clarify that the “chicken origin is usually Brazil”.

He said the “very least the Government could do – the bare minimum – is to ensure that in instances where taxpayers’ money is being spent on food, that food is Irish”.