| February 10, 2005,
as reported by just-food.com: School meals in
England will be subject to stricter health regulations
beginning in September according to an announcement made
by education and skills secretary Ruth Kelly.
The initial round of improvement will focus on processed
food, including reductions to the fat, salt and sugar
content of foods such as beef burgers, sausages and
cakes. Tougher standards for school meals will follow
in 2006.
Secretary Kelly challenged parents to take the lead
along with those of the food industry, caterers, nutritionist
and food interest groups in realizing improvements in
childhood nutrition.
Thursday’s announcements were based on the Public
Health White Paper, published in November 2004, which
set out commitments to introduce a new vocational qualification
for school caterers to help them promote healthy food;
offer more help for schools and local education authorities
in drawing up catering contracts to source healthy school
meals’ services, and healthy food in vending machines,
tuck shops, or breakfast clubs; make healthy eating
part of the Ofsted school inspection process; and introduce
tougher minimum standards for school meals, in which
the use of nutrient-based standards will be strongly
considered.
"Children's health must come first. We want to
make sure that children have access to healthy diets
both in and out of school. Our Public Health White Paper
takes action to tackle childhood obesity not only through
providing healthier food during the school day but by
giving people the information and support they need
to make healthy choices - for themselves and their children,"
said John Reid secretary of state for health.
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