Dr Rafael Urrialde
Rafael Urrialde, lecturer in the Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology at the Complutense University of Madrid and in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences at CEU San Pablo University, President of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Society of Sports Medicine, Secretary of the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, honorary member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Food Sciences, and full member and Vice-President of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (READ), took part on 10 July in the conference “The Future of School Canteens: Food, Health and Sustainability,” organised by the Galician Consumers’ Union in collaboration with the Regional Ministry of the Sea of the Government of Galicia, at the City of Culture in Santiago de Compostela.
The academic participated alongside fellow nutrition experts Gustavo Quindimil, Manager of the Galician Social Services Agency, and Gloria Bernárdez, President of the Galician Coeliac Association, to analyse the practical implementation of Royal Decree 315/2025, a national regulation that applies to both public and private schools and guarantees the nutritional quality of school menus, while also seeking to combat childhood obesity. The speakers advocated a flexible application of the regulation, based on scientific evidence and aimed at ensuring safe, inclusive menus adapted to the dietary needs of all pupils.
Just two days earlier, Urrialde had taken part in the 3rd Conference “Schools as Health Education Centres,” held at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences of the Polytechnic University of Madrid and organised by the Spanish Nutrition Society. The event also featured fellow READ member Marcela González-Gross, Professor of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and Director of the Department of Health and Human Performance at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, President of the Spanish Nutrition Society and corresponding member of the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy. Urrialde also addressed the importance of child nutrition in schools and its effects on children’s health and development in the article “Food in Educational Centres,” published on 8 July on the specialist portal Kómoda News.
The scientific conference was opened by the Regional Minister of the Sea, Marta Villaverde, and the Technical Secretary-General of the Regional Ministry of Education, Manuel Vila, who highlighted the role of school canteens as a tool for public health, food education and support for Galician production. Villaverde described the new Royal Decree as a step forward. However, she considered the minimum frequency of fish consumption established by the regulation to be insufficient, arguing for a greater presence of seafood products because of their nutritional benefits. She also highlighted initiatives promoted by the Government of Galicia such as Mexillón de Galicia nas Aulas, Xeración Peixe and Movemento Azul.
A recognised expert in food regulation, Urrialde is the author and co-author of scientific publications related to nutrition education. He was Head of Health and Food Safety at Puleva Food, Director of the Health and Food Division at the Spanish Consumers’ Union, Technical Coordinator of the magazine Ciudadano, Director of Health and Nutrition at Coca-Cola Iberia, an analysis technician at the Institute of Refrigeration of the Spanish National Research Council, and a collaborator with the Chair of Plant Physiology at the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid.
