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)