Ready for new school food standards, say caterers

The government's new nutrient standards for school meals have met with a mixed reaction from the food industry.

The voluntary Target Nutrient Specifications (TNS), announced last week by the Food Standards Agency, set maximum levels for fat, salt and sugar in a range of manufactured food used in UK school meals.

From September school caterers will be required to offer pupils high quality meat, poultry or fish on a regular basis, while fried foods like chips will only be on offer twice a week.

School caterer Scolarest, part of the Compass Group, said it was currently testing new menus in primary and secondary schools, which it believed would meet the new standards.

It said it had already replaced fizzy drinks in vending machines with waters, juices, milk drinks and smoothies, and recently launched Journey to Good Health, a strategy aimed at developing a more holistic approach to healthy eating in schools.

A computerised programme called Nutmeg had also been introduced, which assessed the nutritional value of all meals, allowing ingredient components to be 'tweaked' if necessary to meet the guidelines.

“However, while young people, particularly in secondary schools, are able to go off site to buy other items, the challenge remains and will not be solved overnight,” it said.

Meanwhile, UK caterer Brakes said it was confident that many of its current products would meet the guidelines, and that any changes required would be small, for example removing 50mg per 100g of sodium in a fish product.

Head of health and nutrition Eileen Steinbock said: “It is worth noting that these target nutrient specifications are voluntary and caterers can still use products that are higher as long as the overall menu meets the regulatory nutritional standards.”

But, she added: “We are pleased that comments made by Brakes in the consultation process have been taken on board in the final nutritional targets, like the fat content of oily fish. Any regimented standards are to be welcomed, though meeting the standard will be challenging for all those involved, from manufacturers and suppliers to caterers.”

Aimed at preventing childhood obesity from spiralling out of control, the government's plans also include banning the sale of fizzy drinks and confectionery in schools.

However, while the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) welcomed the overall move to improve school food, it disagreed with this element.

Director general Melanie Leech said: “The FDF regrets that the standards ban certain foods from being vended in schools. Positive actions are always more effective than prescription.”

The government also recommends banning school children from drinking whole milk, suggesting they have skimmed and semi-skimmed instead.

The move angered industry body Dairy UK, which is urging a rethink. “We think that children should be allowed to choose the milk they prefer, and whole milk should be included among those permitted,” said technical director Ed Komorowski.

The TNS will be in force in primary schools from 2008 and secondary schools a year later.