British schools ban junk food

2005-09-28 15:10

Brighton - Soft drinks, "poor-quality" hamburgers, chocolate and crisps are to be banned in British schools from next year, said education secretary Ruth Kelly on Wednesday.

"I am absolutely clear that the scandal of junk food served every day in school canteens must end," Kelly said before formally announcing the ban at the annual conference of the governing Labour Party.

"So today I can announce that we will ban poor-quality processed bangers (fat sausages) and burgers being served in schools from next September," she said in Brighton, on England's south coast.

"And because children need healthy options throughout the school day I can also announce that from next September no school will be able to have vending machines selling crisps, chocolates, or sugary fizzy drinks."

Current rules for school meals in Britain are very broad, stipulating for example that meals must contain "vegetable" and "protein" portions - enabling cheap sausages, burgers and other processed foods to slip onto the menu.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched a high-profile campaign earlier this year against the quality of school food. Educators replied it is tough to cook up good meals on very tight budgets.

- AFP