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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 guidelines mean meals must include at least two portions of fruit and vegetables and deep-fried foods are restricted.The Department for Education guidelines mean meals must include at least two portions of fruit and vegetables and deep-fried foods are restricted.
The government has earmarked an extra £240m to subsidise healthy ingredients until 2011 and school cooks will receive extra training.The government has earmarked an extra £240m to subsidise healthy ingredients until 2011 and school cooks will receive extra training.
From 2008, secondary school pupils will also be offered cookery lessons.From 2008, secondary school pupils will also be offered cookery lessons.
The overall standards aim to improve pupils' health, behaviour and concentration.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 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.
    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 AssociationReally 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.
    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.
    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.
    Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new guidelines would "make a difference in terms of healthy lifestyles and child obesity for a start".Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new guidelines would "make a difference in terms of healthy lifestyles and child obesity for a start".
    He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Teachers have been telling us for a long time that if I child comes into school having had little or no breakfast and something deep-fried for lunch they are not going to concentrate, they are not going to be learning properly."He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Teachers have been telling us for a long time that if I child comes into school having had little or no breakfast and something deep-fried for lunch they are not going to concentrate, they are not going to be learning properly."
    He said that offering cookery lessons was part of a drive for pupils to be able to leave school with practical skills.He said that offering cookery lessons was part of a drive for pupils to be able to leave school with practical skills.
    The voluntary course will comprise 24 one-hour lessons - at the end of which pupils will receive a certificate.The voluntary course will comprise 24 one-hour lessons - at the end of which pupils will receive a certificate.
    Mr Johnson said the lessons could be offered by staff other than teachers and out-of-school hours.Mr Johnson said the lessons could be offered by staff other than teachers and out-of-school hours.
    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.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.
    "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," Jan Podsiadly said.
    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.