Kazakhstan's unsafe school snacks spark health fears ahead of stricter meal rules

Health experts in Kazakhstan have raised concerns over unsafe food products sold near schools. Many items lack proper labels, ingredient lists, or details in the state language. These issues come as the country prepares to introduce stricter school meal standards next year. In 2024, 24 cases of mass child poisonings were linked to candies and drinks across Kazakhstan. While none of these incidents involved products from small shops near schools, the lack of oversight has sparked worries. A moratorium on inspecting small businesses means these stores remain largely unchecked.

Nearly 70% of Kazakh teenagers consume energy drinks at least once a month, despite a ban on selling them to anyone under 21. The problem extends beyond labelling—over 60% of chronic diseases in the country are tied to poor diet. Experts discussed these risks at a recent roundtable, highlighting the need for stricter controls.

Meanwhile, the Kazakh Academy of Nutrition is working on two key projects. It is building the country's first national food composition database and researching nutrigenomics—the link between diet and genetic traits in Kazakh ethnic groups.

New school meal rules will take effect on September 1, 2025. These standards aim to cut sugar intake and remove carbonated drinks and fast food from school menus. The upcoming school meal reforms mark a step toward healthier diets for children. However, unregulated shops near schools continue to sell poorly labelled products. Without inspections, concerns over food safety and public health risks remain unresolved.