Healthier fruit and vegetable options on the school menu but children's choices haven't changed yet

The 2002 survey findings largely confirm that the Education (Nutritional Standards for School Lunches) (Wales) Regulations 2001 are being met. The report shows, however, that despite the improved availability of vegetables and fruit, pupils (particularly secondary school pupils) have not yet begun to choose these healthier foods.

More specifically the report found that:

• Fifty one per cent of secondary school pupils were more likely to choose chips than any other food available and in fact many meals consisted solely of chips.
• A wider selection of vegetables are being made available - the 2001 findings showed 8% of primary schools and 31% of secondary schools offered 3 or more types of vegetables; this increased to 18% of primary schools and 65% of secondary school observations in 2002. In spite of this improvement in availability only 2% of secondary school pupils chose a stand alone portion of vegetables, 2% selected salad and 1% choose a piece of fruit.
• Meat products, eg burgers and sausages, are a more popular food choice than meat cuts amongst both primary and secondary schools with 42% and 26% respectively choosing a meat product dish compared to 14% and 2% choosing a meat cut.

Steve Wearne, Director Food Standards Agency Wales says, 'The Food Standards Agency and the Welsh Assembly Government recognise that healthy eating is fundamental for proper growth and development in childhood. However, the diets of many young people in Wales contain too much fat, sugar and salt, and not enough fruit and vegetables.'

The Agency and the Welsh Assembly Government, through 'Food and Well Being', the nutrition strategy for Wales, are working together to improve the diet and health of young people. Nutritious school meals are at the heart of this . This school meals study underlines the need for continued action to help children choose a healthy diet.'

1. A full copy of the report 'Food Standards Agency (Wales) School Meals Research July 2002 Final Report' can be found at the link below. A copy of the 2001 baseline study is available on request from the Food Standards Agency Wales on 029 2067 8999

2. The same thirty two schools (16 primary and 16 secondary) took part in both the 2001 and 2002 study.

3. 'Food and Well Being', the national nutrition strategy for Wales, was launched by Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Health and Social Services in February 2003. Children and Young People have been identified as a priority group for action in the strategy.

4. SI 2001 No 1784(W.126) The Education (Nutritional Standards for School Lunches) (Wales) Regulations 2001 and guidance (Circular No.03/2003) was issued by the Assembly to all schools and local education authorities in Wales. These regulations set out the minimum nutritional standards that must be applied to the provision of school lunches. The guidance advises LEAs and schools on meeting or exceeding the standards and contains advice on a healthy diet, providing healthy food that young people enjoy, together with ways of improving the schools meals service and encouraging pupils to use it.

5. Further information is available from Hilary Neathey, Food Standards Agency Wales, Tel 029 2067 8911, Email hilary.neathey@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk