School Meals: Nutrition
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that school meals are (a) balanced and (b) nutritional.
Answered by Stephen Morgan
It is important that children eat nutritious food at school and the department encourages schools to have a whole school approach to healthy eating.
The School Food Standards regulate the food and drink provided at lunchtime and at other times of the school day. Compliance with the School Food Standards is mandatory for maintained schools, academies and free schools. They aim to ensure that the right foods are available for children. For example, one or more portions of vegetables as an accompaniment and one or more portions of fruit must be provided every day. The standards also restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low quality reformed or reconstituted foods, and ensure that pupils always have healthy options.
The department’s aim is to deliver better life chances for all through a system which works for all. As with all government programmes, we will keep our approach to the School Food Standards under continued review.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →