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School menus get healthy revamp Chips down as school term starts
(30 minutes later)
Pupils in England are being presented with healthier choices on the school dinner menu and in vending machines.Pupils in England are being presented with healthier choices on the school dinner menu and in vending machines.
The Department for Education and Skills' guidelines, which rule out "economy" sausages and burgers, come in to force as the school year starts.The Department for Education and Skills' guidelines, which rule out "economy" sausages and burgers, come in to force as the school year starts.
Fruit and vegetables, water and more oily fish are all being encouraged, while crisps and sweets are banned. Fruit and vegetables, water and more oily fish are all being encouraged, while deep-fried food such as chips are to be restricted.
The standards are aimed at not only improving pupils' health but also their behaviour and concentration. And all pupils will now be able to learn basic, healthy cookery skills.
The overall standards aim to improve pupils' health, behaviour and concentration.
The guidelines are based on recommendations by the School Meal Review Panel and follow a campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver to improve the quality of school dinners.The guidelines are based on recommendations by the School Meal Review Panel and follow a campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver to improve the quality of school dinners.
Other key measures include:Other key measures include:
  • Not less than two servings per day of fruit and vegetables
  • Oily fish should be served at least once every three weeks
  • Bread should be available every day
  • Free, fresh drinking water should be available
  • Salt should not be available at lunch and ketchup and mayonnaise should only be available in sachets
  • No more than two portions of deep-fried foods in a single week
  • Manufactured meat products such as chicken nuggets may only be served occasionally and only providing they meet minimum standards for meat content
  • The only savoury snacks available at lunchtime should be nuts and seeds with no added salt, fat or sugar.
  • Not less than two servings per day of fruit and vegetables
  • Oily fish should be served at least once every three weeks
  • Bread should be available every day
  • Free, fresh drinking water should be available
  • Salt should not be available at lunch and ketchup and mayonnaise should only be available in sachets
  • No more than two portions of deep-fried foods in a single week
  • Manufactured meat products such as chicken nuggets may only be served occasionally and only providing they meet minimum standards for meat content
  • The only savoury snacks available at lunchtime should be nuts and seeds with no added salt, fat or sugar.
    The government is also spending an extra £240m on subsidising ingredients, re-training staff and improving kitchens.The government is also spending an extra £240m on subsidising ingredients, re-training staff and improving kitchens.
    The School Food Trust was set up in 2005 with £15m of funding from the DfES to promote the education and health of children and young people by improving the quality of food in schools.The School Food Trust was set up in 2005 with £15m of funding from the DfES to promote the education and health of children and young people by improving the quality of food in schools.
    Prohibition on products from snack machines is not really going to make any slightest difference in the size of children Jan PodsiadlyAutomatic Vending Association Really the problem is that the take-up of school lunches is so poor and likely to decrease because of the increase in cost Jan PodsiadlyAutomatic Vending Association
    The number of obese or overweight children in Britain aged between two and 15 has risen to about 30% in recent years.The number of obese or overweight children in Britain aged between two and 15 has risen to about 30% in recent years.
    Trust chief executive Judy Hargadon said children who had a "better" diet reaped health and social benefits.Trust chief executive Judy Hargadon said children who had a "better" diet reaped health and social benefits.
    "We know that if children eat better, they do better. "Lots of schools tell us that when they change the school lunches they get calmer children during the day," she said.
    "Lots of schools tell us that when they change the school lunches they get calmer children during the day."
    There are some concerns that the cost of meals will increase and that cutting back favourite foods at school will mean more pupils bringing in their own, less healthy food.There are some concerns that the cost of meals will increase and that cutting back favourite foods at school will mean more pupils bringing in their own, less healthy food.
    A Soil Association report suggests spending on ingredients by primary schools has increased from an average of 47p per pupil per day in 2005 to 51p this year. Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new guidelines would "make a difference in terms of healthy lifestyles and child obesity for a start".
    Extra fundingExtra funding
    A Soil Association report suggests spending on ingredients by primary schools has increased from an average of 47p per pupil per day in 2005 to 51p this year.
    But some are still spending as little as 41p per child per meal, according to its survey of 74 local authorities in England.But some are still spending as little as 41p per child per meal, according to its survey of 74 local authorities in England.
    The Automatic Vending Association said the new guidelines were misguided.The Automatic Vending Association said the new guidelines were misguided.
    "Prohibition on products from snack machines is not really going to make any slightest difference in the size of children," Jan Podsiadly said. "Really the problem is that the take-up of school lunches is so poor and likely to decrease because of the increase in cost," Jan Podsiadly said.
    "Really the problem is that the take-up of school lunches is so poor and likely to decrease because of the increase in cost.
    "So the School Food Trust is trying to ring-fence the food around the school lunches and make sure there's nothing else available.""So the School Food Trust is trying to ring-fence the food around the school lunches and make sure there's nothing else available."
    Compass, a catering company which supplies nearly 2,000 schools, colleges and universities welcomed the extra cash.Compass, a catering company which supplies nearly 2,000 schools, colleges and universities welcomed the extra cash.
    UK chief executive Ian el Mokadem said: "Extra funding is key. One of the problems was that if you're trying to cook a good meal in a primary school for 37p that's pretty tough," he said.UK chief executive Ian el Mokadem said: "Extra funding is key. One of the problems was that if you're trying to cook a good meal in a primary school for 37p that's pretty tough," he said.
    HAVE YOUR SAY Learning to eat a healthy diet is as important as any subject Sarah, West Yorks Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Learning to eat a healthy diet is as important as any subject Sarah, West Yorks Send us your comments
    "Thanks to the extra money that's more like 50-plus pence in primary and a lot more than that in secondary.""Thanks to the extra money that's more like 50-plus pence in primary and a lot more than that in secondary."
    The Scottish Executive is also planning to ban junk food from schools and to create a law encouraging more pupils to eat school meals.The Scottish Executive is also planning to ban junk food from schools and to create a law encouraging more pupils to eat school meals.
    In Wales, a working group on nutritional standards published a report calling for junk food to be restricted on school menus.In Wales, a working group on nutritional standards published a report calling for junk food to be restricted on school menus.
    The report, Appetite for Life, recommends a ban on the sale of sweets and crisps and an increase in healthy food on the menu.The report, Appetite for Life, recommends a ban on the sale of sweets and crisps and an increase in healthy food on the menu.
    Northern Ireland's education department has put out proposals for public consultation.Northern Ireland's education department has put out proposals for public consultation.