Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department provides to schools on providing fortified cereals with high levels of sugar.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The school food standards define the food and drink that must be provided, those which are restricted, and those not to be provided by schools, including during breakfasts. The standards are food based and nutritional information of individual products is not specifically set out, however schools and catering services must meet allergens law. The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including high sugar foods and confectionery. The guidance to accompany the standards includes portion size and food group which is available on the School Food Plan website at: www.schoolfoodplan.com .
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to commence the review of the School Food in England: Departmental advice for governing bodies.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The new school food standards came in to force from January 2015. They have been widely welcomed but since then new advice on sugar and nutrition has been published. Therefore the Department for Education, supported by Public Health England, will update the standards in light of refreshed government dietary recommendations. We will consider school menus and update the departmental advice as part of this work. Further details will be available shortly.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will ask Public Health England to undertake a review of school menus to ensure that pupils receive healthy choices in line with the school food standards.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The new school food standards came in to force from January 2015. They have been widely welcomed but since then new advice on sugar and nutrition has been published. Therefore the Department for Education, supported by Public Health England, will update the standards in light of refreshed government dietary recommendations. We will consider school menus and update the departmental advice as part of this work. Further details will be available shortly.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether schools are required to provide nutrition information on the recommended daily intake of (a) sugars and (b) carbohydrates breakfast foods offered at breakfast clubs.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The school food standards define the foods and drinks that must be provided, those which are restricted, and those which must not be provided by schools, including during breakfasts. The standards are food based and nutritional information of individual products is not specifically required, however schools and catering services must meet allergens law.
The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including high sugar foods and confectionery. It is for schools and caterers to decide what is an appropriate portion and to balance the food served across the school week including foods provided at breakfast service – fruit and/or vegetables must be available. The guidance to accompany the standards includes portion sizes and food groups. This is available on the resources page at: www.schoolfoodplan.com.
Schools are responsible for their day to day running and it is therefore a local decision as to whether they share their menus with parents.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether schools are required to inform parents of the menu offered at breakfast clubs.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The school food standards define the foods and drinks that must be provided, those which are restricted, and those which must not be provided by schools, including during breakfasts. The standards are food based and nutritional information of individual products is not specifically required, however schools and catering services must meet allergens law.
The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including high sugar foods and confectionery. It is for schools and caterers to decide what is an appropriate portion and to balance the food served across the school week including foods provided at breakfast service – fruit and/or vegetables must be available. The guidance to accompany the standards includes portion sizes and food groups. This is available on the resources page at: www.schoolfoodplan.com.
Schools are responsible for their day to day running and it is therefore a local decision as to whether they share their menus with parents.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department issues to schools on the provision of high sugar breakfast cereals at breakfast clubs.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The school food standards define the foods and drinks that must be provided, those which are restricted, and those which must not be provided by schools, including during breakfasts. The standards are food based and nutritional information of individual products is not specifically required, however schools and catering services must meet allergens law.
The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including high sugar foods and confectionery. It is for schools and caterers to decide what is an appropriate portion and to balance the food served across the school week including foods provided at breakfast service – fruit and/or vegetables must be available. The guidance to accompany the standards includes portion sizes and food groups. This is available on the resources page at: www.schoolfoodplan.com.
Schools are responsible for their day to day running and it is therefore a local decision as to whether they share their menus with parents.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the provision of cereals fortified with vitamins and minerals supplied by breakfast clubs are given greater priority than the provision of low sugar cereals.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The school food standards define the foods and drinks that must be provided, those which are restricted, and those which must not be provided by schools, including during breakfasts. The standards are food based and nutritional information of individual products is not specifically required, however schools and catering services must meet allergens law.
The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including high sugar foods and confectionery. It is for schools and caterers to decide what is an appropriate portion and to balance the food served across the school week including foods provided at breakfast service – fruit and/or vegetables must be available. The guidance to accompany the standards includes portion sizes and food groups. This is available on the resources page at: www.schoolfoodplan.com.
Schools are responsible for their day to day running and it is therefore a local decision as to whether they share their menus with parents.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the School Food Standards permits school to sell (a) doughnuts, (b) waffles and (c) cookies to pupils.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
The school food standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar. The standards apply to the overall planned provision of food and drink in schools, including during school lunches and food provided by the school at other times.
Governing boards are legally responsible for meeting the school food standards and it is for schools and caterers to decide which foods to serve across the school week. Desserts are permitted when served during the school lunch service and the types of products mentioned in this question are only permitted by the standards under restricted circumstances: for example, confectionery is prohibited, and only healthy snacks, such as fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts can be provided for food other than lunch.
As part of our work on the Childhood Obesity Plan, we have committed to reducing sugar in the school food standards and officials are working with Public Health England to achieve this. Further details will be available shortly.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government takes to ensure that the school food standards are enforced.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
Governing boards are legally responsible for meeting the School Food Standards. If they do not, they should be supported to address the issues and there are a number of organisations that can provide this support. If there are still concerns, the matter can be raised with the Secretary of State for Education who can issue a direction to the school if necessary. Within the last three years, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has not issued a direction in this regard.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have been found to be in breach of the school food standards in each of the last three years.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
Governing boards are legally responsible for meeting the School Food Standards. If they do not, they should be supported to address the issues and there are a number of organisations that can provide this support. If there are still concerns, the matter can be raised with the Secretary of State for Education who can issue a direction to the school if necessary. Within the last three years, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has not issued a direction in this regard.