More than 5,300 products, including popular snacks, breads, ice creams, and beverages, will be banned from sale at schools and designated child-friendly vendors throughout August.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on July 28 the list of high-calorie and low-nutrition foods, as well as those containing high levels of caffeine, that will be prohibited from sale.
A total of 5,312 items have been designated as high-calorie and low-nutrition foods. Additionally, children's snacks labeled as containing 'high caffeine' are also included in the sales ban.
However, this ban does not extend to all retail outlets nationwide. The restrictions apply specifically to schools and vendors designated by the FDA as child-friendly. Convenience stores and large supermarkets can still sell these products.
Child-friendly vendors are establishments located in food safety zones around schools that are recognized for selling safe and balanced food options.
The current Special Act on Children's Dietary Safety Management allows the FDA to restrict or prohibit the sale of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and those containing high caffeine at schools and designated vendors. The sale of high-caffeine products, including coffee, is also banned in schools.
High-calorie, low-nutrition foods are defined as those that are high in calories but lack essential nutrients like protein, or exceed certain thresholds for sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Common items include snacks, candies, breads, chocolates, ice creams, and carbonated beverages that children frequently consume.
Not all products in the same category are subject to the sales ban. The determination is based on serving size and the specific nutritional content of each product, meaning that inclusion may vary by manufacturer and item.
Similarly, not all caffeinated products are banned. Only those children's snacks that exceed the caffeine threshold and are labeled as 'high caffeine' are included. This typically applies to certain energy drinks and beverages containing coffee.
This announcement does not introduce new sales regulations for August. The FDA updates the list of banned items monthly to reflect new product launches, discontinuations, and changes in ingredients and nutritional content. In March 2026, the list included 5,056 high-calorie, low-nutrition foods, which has now increased to 5,312 in August.
Being on the list does not imply that a product is unsafe or of poor quality. General consumption and sales are still permitted, but the restrictions aim to promote balanced diets for growing children in specific locations.
If schools or designated vendors violate the sales ban, they may face fines based on the number of violations. The FDA allows for adjustments to the list if manufacturers submit documentation regarding changes in nutritional content or if production ceases.
The specific names of the products banned in August can be found on the FDA's website, which includes the list of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and those containing high caffeine.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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