This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Schools to reject sugary snacks
26/03/2007
Sugary fizzy drinks, high fat crisps and chocolate will be replaced in school tuck shops and vending machines with fruit juice and healthy snacks as part of new nutritional regulations, it was announced today.
The new rules will mean oven chips can be served in dinner halls, however deep fried foods can only be served twice a week and chips can only be served as part of a meal.
They are contained in the Executive's response to nutritional proposals from an expert working group and also mean that no artificially sweetened drinks will be served in primary schools and the maximum serving of fruit juice will be 250 ml.
The Expert Working Group has been asked for further advice on its proposals to change the salt limits and on how to allow healthy cereal bars - which currently fall within the EU definition of confectionery - to be sold in schools.
At St Thomas Aquinas High School in Glasgow, during a visit with UK Public Health Minister Caroline Flint, Education Minister Hugh Henry said:
"We want our schools to be caring, nurturing and health promoting. It's vital they help their pupils to understand why making healthy choices is important to their well-being now and in the future.
"Although pupils will enjoy the occasional treat, they should not be able to eat fatty chocolate and salty crisps washed down by sugary fizzy drinks every playtime.
"It is also important they don't eat chips and only chips every lunchtime. That's why I've decided that chips can only be served as part of a meal. I know that an occasional plate of fish, chips and peas can be tasty. I've also decided to restrict deep fried products to being served twice a week.
"We are taking a sensible and balanced approach to improving the meals and snacks that are served in our schools. This builds on what we've already achieved through Hungry for Success, our Health Promotion and Nutrition in Schools Bill and our recent guidance on healthy packed lunches."
The Executive commissioned an expert group - consisting of nutritionists, dental experts, catering providers and HMIe representatives - to draw up recommendations for nutritional regulations for schools.
These regulations will be implemented as part of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament on March 14.