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School meal guidelines tightened School meal guidelines tightened
(about 10 hours later)
School meals in England's primary schools are subject to even tighter guidelines from this month.School meals in England's primary schools are subject to even tighter guidelines from this month.
Caterers have drawn up new menus which conform to strict nutritional guidelines on the amounts of vitamins and minerals young children need.Caterers have drawn up new menus which conform to strict nutritional guidelines on the amounts of vitamins and minerals young children need.
It is feared prices could rise because of the costs of running the system and the global rise in oil and food prices. But meal prices have risen 10 to 15% in the past year due to rising food and administration costs and fewer children are eating school lunches.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have guidelines for school meals but these new ones for England go further. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have controls but England's go further.
From next September, the nutritional standards will be brought in for England's secondary schools.From next September, the nutritional standards will be brought in for England's secondary schools.
Food standards in England's schools have risen since 2005, but schools inspectorate Ofsted has reported a fall in take-up.Food standards in England's schools have risen since 2005, but schools inspectorate Ofsted has reported a fall in take-up.
Guidelines announced in March 2005 limited the amount of processed meat, deep fried and high fat foods served and required schools to provide more fresh fruit and vegetables.Guidelines announced in March 2005 limited the amount of processed meat, deep fried and high fat foods served and required schools to provide more fresh fruit and vegetables.
The changes were prompted by TV chef Jamie Oliver's campaign. The changes followed a campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver.
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To meet the new tighter guidelines, school caterers have brought in new computer programmes to help create balanced meals with the right proportions of vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron.To meet the new tighter guidelines, school caterers have brought in new computer programmes to help create balanced meals with the right proportions of vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron.
Menus typically "turn red" if they do not meet requirements and information of what is missing flashes on screen.Menus typically "turn red" if they do not meet requirements and information of what is missing flashes on screen.
The Local Authority Caterers Association said prices of school meals could rise in some areas - although it was too early to say for sure. The Local Authority Caterers Association said prices of school meals had risen in some areas.
It said any rises would be due to the combined effects of rising oil and food prices across the world and the cost of complying with the new guidelines in terms of computer software, staff needed to run the system, longer preparation time and greater use of fresh fruit and vegetables. It says the rises have been due to the combined effects of rising oil and food prices across the world and the cost of complying with the new guidelines in terms of computer software, staff needed to run the system, longer preparation time and greater use of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The organisation said it had heard of increases in a couple of areas and added that caterers would not be "springing" such rises on parents and schools. Head of the organisation, which represents 80% of school caterers, Neil Porter, said: "We are actually seeing increases across the UK. In England we have seen a 10 to 15% increase in the past year.
"Much of that is down to additional labour costs and increased food costs but what is compacting that further for this year, particularly in primary schools, is that we've seen the introduction of nutrient-based standards."
The organisation says caterers would not be "springing" rises on parents and schools.
The organisation says caterers would not be "springing" rises on parents and schools.
Where increases were being made this term, parents would have been informed before the summer holidays.Where increases were being made this term, parents would have been informed before the summer holidays.
The bottom line is six out of 10 secondary pupils are still not eating school dinners Ed Balls, Education Secretary
Prue Leith heads the School Food Trust, set up by the government in 2005 to improve standards in school meals.
She said: "This week we begin the final steps in radically changing school food. Over-fatty, salty, or sugary are gone , replaced by nutritious and delicious meals.
"This is an essential step in ensuring that all children, no matter what their background, can have a hot healthy meal. Parents of children starting school for the first time today can be assured that their child's school meal will nourish their brains and bodies and give them energy to succeed in all they do."
'A bit late'
England's Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said: "School catering staff and teachers are doing some fantastic work. July's provisional take-up survey figures showed we are finally turning the corner - as all the experts accept, including Jamie Oliver.England's Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said: "School catering staff and teachers are doing some fantastic work. July's provisional take-up survey figures showed we are finally turning the corner - as all the experts accept, including Jamie Oliver.
"School catering is a really tough job and a culture change in schools and wider society of this size doesn't simply happen overnight. I understand schools' concerns about the time, effort and cost that introducing healthy lunches take."School catering is a really tough job and a culture change in schools and wider society of this size doesn't simply happen overnight. I understand schools' concerns about the time, effort and cost that introducing healthy lunches take.
"But the bottom line is six out of 10 secondary pupils are still not eating school dinners."But the bottom line is six out of 10 secondary pupils are still not eating school dinners.
"Schools, parents, children and government to tackle obesity together and we make no apologies for introducing tough nutrient standards.""Schools, parents, children and government to tackle obesity together and we make no apologies for introducing tough nutrient standards."
Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said: "It's a bit late for ministers to be urging headteachers to tackle the problem of school lunches when Labour's policies have triggered a collapse in secondary school take-up over the last three years.
"In addition, the huge increase in food prices is in danger of causing another downward turn, particularly in secondary schools where pupils have more choice."
In Scottish primaries this term, new rules include a ban on sweets and fizzy drinks and restrictions on fried foods.
Similar guidelines have been in place in Northern Ireland for a year and in Wales a number of local authorities are piloting their own healthy meals.
Are you concerned about these changes? Do you think your children are getting their nutritional needs fulfilled at school? Are you a school caterer facing these new proposals? Tell us about your experience by filling in the form below.
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