Menu
19/05/2006
Government announces junk food ban in school meals
Foods that are high in salt, fat, sugar or contain low quality meat will be banned from school meals under new minimum nutrition standards announced by the government today.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new standards would improve the quality of food in schools and undo decades of neglect in school meals provision.
The new standards, which will be introduced from September, have been produced in line with the recommendations of the School Meals Review Panel.
They will ensure that school lunches are free from low quality meat products, fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate or other confectionery products.
Instead, high quality meat, poultry or oily fish would be available on a regular basis and pupils would be served a minimum of two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal.
Deep-fried items would be restricted to no more than two portions a week, under the new standards.
Schools will also end the sale of junk food in vending machines and tuck shops and the School Food Trust will work with schools and vending providers to promote sales of healthy snacks and drinks such as water, milk, fruit juices and yoghurt drinks.
Schools will also be required to introduce even more stringent nutrient-based standards - stipulating the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, for school meals - by September 2008 in primary schools and by September 2009 in secondary schools.
The government is investing £220 million to help schools and local education authorities invest in school meals, training and increased hours for cooks and kitchen equipment.
Commenting on the new standards, Mr Johnson said: "The health of our young people is not an area for compromise.
"Providing pupils with a healthy balanced meal that will give them the energy, vitamins and minerals they need to learn and play is essential, but we will go further, helping schools to teach every pupil skills in diet, nutrition, practical food preparation and cooking to ensure they make the right choices throughout life."
However, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Sarah Teather said: "Nine years and a celebrity chef later we have a junk food ban. This government has a lot to be modest about.
"Today government spokespeople have talked about undoing 'decades of neglect' - presumably including Labour's eight wasted years in tackling childhood obesity.
"The government must now turn it's mind to proper nutritional education, sports in school and the role of parents in encouraging healthy eating behaviour."
(KMcA/CD)
Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new standards would improve the quality of food in schools and undo decades of neglect in school meals provision.
The new standards, which will be introduced from September, have been produced in line with the recommendations of the School Meals Review Panel.
They will ensure that school lunches are free from low quality meat products, fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate or other confectionery products.
Instead, high quality meat, poultry or oily fish would be available on a regular basis and pupils would be served a minimum of two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal.
Deep-fried items would be restricted to no more than two portions a week, under the new standards.
Schools will also end the sale of junk food in vending machines and tuck shops and the School Food Trust will work with schools and vending providers to promote sales of healthy snacks and drinks such as water, milk, fruit juices and yoghurt drinks.
Schools will also be required to introduce even more stringent nutrient-based standards - stipulating the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, for school meals - by September 2008 in primary schools and by September 2009 in secondary schools.
The government is investing £220 million to help schools and local education authorities invest in school meals, training and increased hours for cooks and kitchen equipment.
Commenting on the new standards, Mr Johnson said: "The health of our young people is not an area for compromise.
"Providing pupils with a healthy balanced meal that will give them the energy, vitamins and minerals they need to learn and play is essential, but we will go further, helping schools to teach every pupil skills in diet, nutrition, practical food preparation and cooking to ensure they make the right choices throughout life."
However, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Sarah Teather said: "Nine years and a celebrity chef later we have a junk food ban. This government has a lot to be modest about.
"Today government spokespeople have talked about undoing 'decades of neglect' - presumably including Labour's eight wasted years in tackling childhood obesity.
"The government must now turn it's mind to proper nutritional education, sports in school and the role of parents in encouraging healthy eating behaviour."
(KMcA/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 July 2010
'Growing Appetite' For School Lunches
The number of children eating school lunches in England has seen a significant rise, according to national figures released today. The number of pupils eating healthy food at school has seen the biggest year-on-year percentage point increase since the height of the school meals revolution.
'Growing Appetite' For School Lunches
The number of children eating school lunches in England has seen a significant rise, according to national figures released today. The number of pupils eating healthy food at school has seen the biggest year-on-year percentage point increase since the height of the school meals revolution.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
03 October 2005
Minimum standards for school food announced
The government’s advisory panel has announced tough nutritional standards for school meals.
Minimum standards for school food announced
The government’s advisory panel has announced tough nutritional standards for school meals.
05 December 2013
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
02 October 2008
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
