Transparency on the plate: regional inequities in menu information in Brazilian university restaurants

Abstract Objective To map and describe the prior availability of menu information in university restaurants of Brazilian public higher education institutions, as well as to examine regional inequalities and discuss the implications of these findings for students’ food and nutritional security. Additionally, the presence of information on options catering to specific dietary needs on the menus was investigated. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study involving federal and state universities. Data were collected from institutional websites, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook), and direct contact. The variables analyzed included menu availability, update frequency, information on options related to dietary restrictions on menus, meal prices, and restaurant capacity. Results A total of 316 restaurants linked to 110 institutions were identified, serving approximately 298,000 daily meals. The distribution was uneven, with a higher concentration in the Northeast (37.7%) and Southeast (34.5%) regions. The majority of federal (92.9%) and state (92.2%) restaurants made menus available, although there was variation in update frequency and disclosure format. Only 18.3% of institutions provided information on menus about options for specific dietary needs, and when present, this information was limited to vegetarian and/or vegan options. Furthermore, only 21.6% consistently disclosed meal prices. Conclusion Although menu disclosure is widespread, regional inequalities persist regarding update frequency, price disclosure, and the indication of vegetarian and/or vegan options. Standardizing these practices could strengthen the informational transparency of student food services.