Purpose: To review the literature on the effectiveness of economic incentives for good nutritional behaviour in schools.

Methods: Studies published in English that included baseline and/or outcome data regarding food and beverage intake of school children were eligible for inclusion. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify relevant primary studies and relevant systematic reviews of primary studies.

Results/conclusion: 3472 research publications were identified in the systematic search, 50 papers were retrieved, and 30 publications, representing 28 studies, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies addressing price incentives suggest that such incentives are effective for altering consumption in the school setting. Other types of economic incentives have been included in combined intervention schemes, but due to the inclusion of other intervention elements, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the economic incentive instruments per se for these studies.