Eating together – public consultation on food recommendations for families with children begins

The National Nutrition Council and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) are revising the food recommendations for families with children. The draft of the recommendations is open for public consultation until 10 June.

The recommendations being revised address nutrition and meals for children and young people, families with children, people planning a pregnancy, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding. The food recommendations for families with children are based on the national nutrition recommendations Sustainable Health from Food, scientific evidence, Current Care Guidelines, and good practice. The content of the recommendations is also influenced by Finnish food culture and dietary habits. 

Good nutrition already when planning a pregnancy, as well as during childhood and adolescence, lays the foundation for healthy growth and development. A regular meal pattern and a varied diet in line with the recommendations are important for growing children and young people. Through food choices, eating habits and food education, parents and the whole family create the conditions for a health‑promoting diet, the benefits of which extend far into adulthood.

New topics covered in the recommendations include the food environment, the current state of nutrition among Finnish families with children, the health and environmental impacts of food, and the implementation of the guidelines in practice. In addition, food education is discussed more extensively than before.

Extensive feedback welcomed on the food recommendations for families with children

The recommendations have been prepared by a working group appointed by the National Nutrition Council.

The draft prepared by the working group is available for comments in the Consultation Service. Comments can be submitted until 10 June 2026.

“We hope to receive as many comments as possible from stakeholders. This will help us further improve the usability of the recommendations,” says the chair of the working group, research professor Suvi Virtanen from THL.

The food recommendations for families with children will be published in autumn 2026. The previous edition was published in 2019.

Read the recommendations and submit your comments in the Consultation Service (in Finnish)

Further information:

Suvi Virtanen
Chair of the working group, research professor
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Tel. +358 29 524 8729
[email protected]

Sari Niinistö
Secretary of the working group, research manager
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Tel. +358 29 524 7249
[email protected]

Satu Jyväkorpi
Secretary of the working group, secretary general
National Nutrition Council c/o Finnish Food Authority
Tel. +358 29 520 4262
[email protected]