Junk food ban in war on obesity in schools

THREE ministers have joined forces to take the first initiative in the obesity battle facing our children, by banning unhealthy foods from school meals.

Under the new plan, food and drinks deemed full of salt, sugar and fat will not be allowed in meals at breakfast clubs, school dinners and at after-school clubs.

While the move only affects taxpayer-funded food in the country’s primary and secondary schools, it is seen as a significant step in health improvement.

The Nutrition Standards for the State’s School Meals Programme will be jointly launched by the ministers for Health, Education and Employment, and will follow official Healthy Eating Guidelines.

The School Meals programme costs almost €50million and supplies meals for 250,000 children, generally in schools in disadvantaged or socially deprived areas under the DEIS programme.

Under the new standards, schools will offer water or milk as drinks, and will ban foods high in fat, sugar and salt.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: ‘The introduction of the new nutrition standards means that only healthy food choices that meet the standards will be funded for breakfast clubs, school lunches and snacks, after-school clubs and school dinners.’

The Department of Health announced the plans as part of Healthy Ireland, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the country’s population. A spokesperson said: ‘The new standards outline healthy and balanced choices for each meal or snack, which align with the revised food pyramid and guidelines. They state that certain foods and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar should not be offered to children and will not be funded.’