§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what encouragement she provides to head teachers to ensure healthy eating patterns are developed in school canteens. [71124]
§ Stephen TwiggIn April 2001 the Government introduced regulations which set minimum nutritional standards for school lunches. They were accompanied by guidance entitled "Healthy School Lunches" which was available for school caterers, heads and others implementing the standards.
101WThe National Healthy School Standard, which was introduced in October 1999, is the mainstay of the Healthy Schools Programme and promotes healthy eating patterns. Guidance provided to local Healthy Schools Partnerships on criteria that can be used for assessing school achievements includes:
the school should present consistent messages about healthy eating: food on offer in vending machines, tuck shops and school meals, for example should complement the information about healthy eating covered in the taught curriculum;the school should provide, promote and monitor healthier food at lunch and break times and in any breakfast clubs where they are provided;the school should include education on healthier eating and basic food safety practices in the taught curriculum.