By Church law, according to Synod of Bishops (1969), the faithful are to fast from all meat and meat products (including dairy) on the first day of the Great Fast, and on Great and Holy Friday. On all Fridays during Lent, as on all Fridays during the year (except for certain feast days) no meat is permitted. The sick, the frail, pregnant and nursing mothers, children under the age of 7 or adults aged 60 and older are exempt, along with those who have genuine need and cannot fast.

The traditional fast, which is not required by present Church law, calls for abstaining from all meat and meat products and dairy for the entire Fast (with certain exemptions on some feast days.)