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| What can my child eat at school? | What can my child eat at school? |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A school in Bradford has banned "unhealthy" foods such as sausage rolls in pupils' lunchboxes - a move which has divided opinion among parents. | A school in Bradford has banned "unhealthy" foods such as sausage rolls in pupils' lunchboxes - a move which has divided opinion among parents. |
| So just what can your child eat at school, whether in a packed lunch or for a school dinner? | |
| Packed lunches | Packed lunches |
| It's pretty straightforward - there are no official rules as it's down to individual schools in England, the Department for Education says, to decide what their policy is on food brought in from home. | It's pretty straightforward - there are no official rules as it's down to individual schools in England, the Department for Education says, to decide what their policy is on food brought in from home. |
| So while some schools might take a strict line on inspecting lunchboxes and banning certain foods, others may take a more hands-off approach. | So while some schools might take a strict line on inspecting lunchboxes and banning certain foods, others may take a more hands-off approach. |
| But when it comes to school meals, the rules are a lot stricter. | But when it comes to school meals, the rules are a lot stricter. |
| Carrot sticks not crisps | Carrot sticks not crisps |
| For parents making up packed lunches, the Children's Food Trust recommends they include a piece of food from each of the following categories: | For parents making up packed lunches, the Children's Food Trust recommends they include a piece of food from each of the following categories: |
| But foods and drinks high in saturated fat, sugar and/or salt, like crisps and chocolate biscuits, should be avoided, the trust says. | But foods and drinks high in saturated fat, sugar and/or salt, like crisps and chocolate biscuits, should be avoided, the trust says. |
| Where have all the chips gone? | Where have all the chips gone? |
| But while there are guidelines for packed lunches, there are rules for school dinners. | But while there are guidelines for packed lunches, there are rules for school dinners. |
| New regulations say that school dinners in England have to be healthy too, so that children have nutritious, balanced diets. | New regulations say that school dinners in England have to be healthy too, so that children have nutritious, balanced diets. |
| School caterers must serve up: | School caterers must serve up: |
| They aren't allowed to serve up more than two portions of deep-fried (yes, that's aimed at chips!), battered or breaded food a week. | They aren't allowed to serve up more than two portions of deep-fried (yes, that's aimed at chips!), battered or breaded food a week. |
| Did you know? | Did you know? |
| Schools in England must provide drinking water - free of charge - at all times on school premises. | Schools in England must provide drinking water - free of charge - at all times on school premises. |
| And they can't sell drinks with added sugar, crisps, chocolate or sweets in vending machines. | And they can't sell drinks with added sugar, crisps, chocolate or sweets in vending machines. |
| Schools are obliged to give packed lunch pupils, free of charge, somewhere to eat their food and "these facilities should include accommodation, furniture and supervision", the DfE says. | Schools are obliged to give packed lunch pupils, free of charge, somewhere to eat their food and "these facilities should include accommodation, furniture and supervision", the DfE says. |
| However, everyone is off the leash when... | However, everyone is off the leash when... |
| The usual regulations can be tossed aside: | The usual regulations can be tossed aside: |
| So that's why no-one minds when your child's "star of the week" and the teacher gives him or her a chocolate bar - just in case you were wondering. | So that's why no-one minds when your child's "star of the week" and the teacher gives him or her a chocolate bar - just in case you were wondering. |
| What did you put in your children's packed lunch today? Share what's in their lunch boxes by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
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