Policy recommendations or implemented policies to address protein intake

School food policies

• In the EU, a number of School Food Policies specify the amount of protein (as grams of protein per meal, or as % energy) for meals served to schoolchildren ( JRC 2014 ). Often protein standards for meals are based on age-group specific protein recommendations.
• School Food Policies from EU Member States, specify the number of times where protein sources different from meat and milk (i.e. legumes, soy based products, fish and eggs) are served within school lunches ( JRC 2014 ).

Compositional requirements of foods for special groups

• Commission Directive 2006/141/EC ( EC 2006b (pdf)) has specific amino acid composition and protein content ranges for infant and follow-on formulae:
• Protein content in infant formulae manufactured from cow's or goat's milk proteins or from protein hydrolysates must be minimum 1,8g/100Kcal and maximum 3g/100Kcal. For infant formulae manufactured from soya protein isolate, alone or in a mixture with cow's or goat's milk protein, the minimum protein must be 2,25g/100ml and the maximum 3g/100Kcal.
• Protein content in follow-up formulae manufactured from cow's milk proteins or from protein hydrolysates must be minimum 1,8g/100Kcal and maximum 3,5 g/100Kcal. For infant formulae manufactured from soya protein isolate, alone or in a mixture with cow's or goat's milk protein, the minimum protein must be 2,25g/100ml and the maximum 3,5 g/100Kcal.
• The above rules will apply until 22/02/2020^b, which is the date that the new EU Regulation 2016/127 ( EU 2016 ) will come in force, to supplement Reg. (EU) 609/2013 ( EU 2013 (pdf)) on specific compositional and information requirements for infant formula and follow-on formula. Reg. (EU) 2016/127 introduces some changes, e.g. on the values of the minimum and maximum protein content mentioned above. Dir. 2006/141/EC

Specialised settings meals

• The German Nutrition Society has issued voluntary quality standards for total protein content in lunches in specific locations such as day-care centres, schools, workplaces, meals on wheels, as well as all kind of meals in hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and senior-caring facilities ( DGE ).

Food based dietary guidelines

• Food based dietary guidelines from a number of countries recommend that populations reduce their protein intake from animal-derived foods and switch to more plant based alternatives (Food-Based Dietary Guidelines in Europe page) to reduce negative effects on the environment ( FAO and the University of Oxford 2016 (pdf)).