England proposes updated school food standards to restrict deep-fried and high-sugar items
The Facts
- The government has announced proposals to overhaul school food standards in England for the first time in more than a decade.
- The proposals would ban deep-fried food from school menus.
- Sugary desserts such as cakes, puddings, ice cream and waffles would be limited to once a week under the proposed rules.
- Under the proposals, desserts served in schools would need to contain at least 50% fruit.
- Schools would no longer be allowed to offer unhealthy 'grab and go' items such as pizza and sausage rolls every day.
- The government says the changes are intended to help tackle childhood obesity and tooth decay.
- Sources reporting the plan say about one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese.
- A consultation on the proposed new school food standards is set to run for nine weeks.
Context
What foods would be most affected by the proposed rules?
The proposals would remove deep-fried foods from school menus, limit desserts such as ice cream, waffles, cakes and puddings to once a week, require those desserts to contain at least 50% fruit, and stop schools from offering items such as pizza and sausage rolls every day Daily Mail,Independent,LBC.
Why is the government changing the standards now?
The government says the overhaul is aimed at improving children's diets and reducing childhood obesity and tooth decay. Reports cite figures showing that around one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese, and government materials say tooth decay linked to high-sugar diets is a leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 9 gov.uk,Metro,International Busin….
Are the new standards already final?
Not yet. The government has launched a nine-week consultation on the proposed standards before they are finalized and implemented EXPRESS,International Busin….
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