A comparison of national food and meal guidelines in early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions in Italy, Norway and Sweden

Food literacy refers to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to make informed decisions about food and its impact on health and the natural environment. The aim of this study was to explore the national guidelines for food and meals in early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions in Italy, Norway, and Sweden, with the goal of identifying their main objectives, as well as their differences and similarities. A comparative document study using content analysis was employed to extract both quantitative and qualitative data from the respective countries’ national guidelines. We identified four main themes in the guidelines: health aspects, social and cultural aspects, food and meal recommendations, and environmental sustainability aspects. The guidelines were largely similar in their goal about health aspects, but differed regarding food and meal recommendations, social and cultural aspects, and environmental focus. These differences can be explained by variations in geographical location, climate, traditions, culture, and research practices. The insights from this study could be used to encourage cross-national dialogue and serve as an inspiration for countries developing or updating their guidelines for food and meals in the ECEC. Policy makers should consider the importance of food literacy to young children in ECEC systems.