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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 what can your child eat at school, whether in a packed lunch or for a school dinner?So what can your child eat at school, whether in a packed lunch or for a school dinner?
Packed lunchesPacked 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 crispsCarrot 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?
While there are guidelines for packed lunches, there are rules for school dinners.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 provide:
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.
What are parents saying?What are parents saying?
Head teacher Heather Lacey, who introduced the unhealthy food ban at Shirley Manor Primary Academy, says most parents supported the move.Head teacher Heather Lacey, who introduced the unhealthy food ban at Shirley Manor Primary Academy, says most parents supported the move.
But Steve Fryer, whose son's sausage roll was confiscated, insists parents were "up in arms" over the new policy - and some people debating the story online tended to agree.But Steve Fryer, whose son's sausage roll was confiscated, insists parents were "up in arms" over the new policy - and some people debating the story online tended to agree.
Milly Jo Winship deemed the policy "ridiculous", writing on Facebook: "So many children are picky eaters".Milly Jo Winship deemed the policy "ridiculous", writing on Facebook: "So many children are picky eaters".
Isabel Howell said a ban "wouldn't stop" her from packing a sausage roll in her daughter's lunchbox.Isabel Howell said a ban "wouldn't stop" her from packing a sausage roll in her daughter's lunchbox.
"Sandwiches every day are boring, what's wrong with swapping in a sausage roll or pork pie," she wrote."Sandwiches every day are boring, what's wrong with swapping in a sausage roll or pork pie," she wrote.
"My daughter sometimes asks for it as a change.""My daughter sometimes asks for it as a change."
But others sympathised with the school, saying that children need to learn to make healthy choices.But others sympathised with the school, saying that children need to learn to make healthy choices.
Alison Quemby said: "The occasional sausage roll with some carrot sticks and an apple; fine. But what if it's a huge Greggs sausage roll and a packet of crisps every day?Alison Quemby said: "The occasional sausage roll with some carrot sticks and an apple; fine. But what if it's a huge Greggs sausage roll and a packet of crisps every day?
"If the parents aren't going to teach their children to make healthy choices regularly, then school has to," she added."If the parents aren't going to teach their children to make healthy choices regularly, then school has to," she added.
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.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:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below