health
‘No cheeseburgers … they would go bankrupt’: pupils reject plan to cut fatty foods from lunch menus
Though welcomed by chefs and campaigners, many schools say the government’s plan to remove ‘grab and go’ options from the menu is a step too far
TL;DR
- Government plans aim to cut childhood obesity by overhauling school food standards, removing high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods.
- Proposed changes include banning deep-fried food, limiting sugary desserts, and reducing daily 'grab and go' options like sausage rolls and pizza.
- Headteacher Sean Maher views the proposals as 'nanny state-ish', believing students should have small treats.
- Catering firms like Accent state that a healthy-only menu would make their business unsustainable.
- Students at Richard Challoner school generally prefer the current menu, with many expressing disappointment at the potential removal of items like pizza, cheeseburgers, and cakes.
- Some students acknowledged the health benefits but felt cutting treats was 'unfair' and 'harsh'.