HC Deb 15 March 2004 vol 419 cc36-7W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to promote healthy eating in schools in Northern Ireland. [148764]

Jane Kennedy

When providing school meals, school authorities are currently required to comply with the nutritional standards produced by the Caroline Walker Trust. These aim to contribute to a better-balanced diet which contains more bread, cereals, other starchy foods, fruit and vegetables and which is rich in minerals and vitamins, and which has less fat, sugar and salty foods. Also, the Department of Education is about to initiate a pilot study for one calendar year from next March to determine how best to introduce new compulsory nutritional standards for school meals and ensure the best chance of success.

Health education is a compulsory element of the curriculum for all pupils. They are taught to make responsible decisions about their diet, and to know and understand the contribution of food to growth, energy and health.

Funding has also been obtained to develop Health Promoting Schools Schemes with particular attention to schools in areas of social need.