Feb01School food rules, myths, and rumours

New legislation, funding, and public opinion has provided the best opportunity to improve the quality of school food since regulations were removed in 1980. Schools can transform the food they offer children and many are seeing the physical, social and educational benefits for their pupils.

However, there are several myths regarding the new rules…

Schools cannot serve cheese

Wrong – schools can serve cheese, at any time of the school day. It is good practice to use low fat varieties of cheese.

Schools cannot use salt in cooking

Wrong – salt is permitted in the cooking process but should not be provided at lunch tables or at service counters. In general, nutrition experts recommend reducing the amount of salt used in cooking and use herbs or spices to flavour dishes.

Schools cannot serve cakes and biscuits

Wrong – cakes and biscuits can be served at lunchtimes as long as they contain no confectionery. Children should only be encouraged to eat these as part of a meal – not instead of a main course.

Schools cannot put butter on jacket potatoes

Wrong – butter is permitted on jacket potatoes. This does not count as a starchy food cooked in fat or oil as the butter is added after the cooking process. It is good practice to restrict the amount of butter pupils can add to their food.

Schools cannot serve chips

Wrong – deep-fried foods, such as chips, can be served up to twice a week.

Schools cannot provide jam or honey to spread on bread or toast

Wrong – jam and honey are not restricted by the standards. However, foods and preserves that are high in sugar should be limited.

Schools cannot dilute fruit juice with water

Wrong – fruit juice can be diluted with water provided that the fruit juice component in the final drink is at least 50% by volume.

Schools cannot serve bacon at breakfast

Wrong – bacon is not restricted by the standards. Experts recommend that bacon is grilled rather than fried, and the types of foods served at breakfast is varied throughout the week.