Vox Proposes Eliminating Religious Menus in Castelló Nurseries

The municipal group Vox will present a motion in the Castelló City Council plenary session to ensure neutrality in school canteens.

Generic image of a microphone on a podium during a municipal plenary session.
IA

Generic image of a microphone on a podium during a municipal plenary session.

The municipal group Vox in the Castelló City Council will present a motion in the next plenary session to guarantee neutrality in the canteen service of municipal nurseries, avoiding differentiated menus for religious reasons.

The initiative arises after receiving complaints from residents of Castelló who have expressed their concern about the offering of halal menus in some centers. According to the party, these same families have also reported that other cultural or religious requests rooted in local tradition, such as the request for meat-free menus during Lent Fridays, are not being addressed.

"Public services must be governed by the principle of institutional neutrality, avoiding adaptations that introduce differences based on religious criteria or that may generate dynamics of unequal treatment among users."

a Vox spokesperson
The Vox motion proposes that the Municipal Government, and particularly the Department of Education, establish a common menu in municipal nurseries based on nutritional and public health criteria. The objective is to avoid the introduction of differentiated menus for religious reasons, such as halal menus, to ensure a homogeneous service for all users.
Furthermore, it is proposed that the only dietary adaptations allowed in the canteen service of these schools be those that respond to duly accredited medical or health needs, such as allergies, intolerances, or medical prescriptions. Those based on religious or cultural convictions are expressly excluded, as they should not condition the organization of a public service.
The initiative also contemplates the review of the terms and conditions and management contracts of municipal nurseries to ensure that the canteen service adheres to the principles of institutional neutrality, equality in service provision, and organizational efficiency. Finally, Vox aims to promote the Mediterranean diet and healthy eating habits in municipal educational centers, fostering knowledge of traditional gastronomy and the consumption of local products.