May 2010 A survey to assess the impact of the standards on catering provision and pupil food selection and consumption by pupils taking a school lunch. In addition, the food consumption of pupils bringing a packed lunch was evaluated.
A national survey carried out by the School Food Trust – the first of its kind since the Government’s new standards for school food came into effect in 2006. Food and drink items provided in packed lunches brought from home are not covered by the standards for school lunches, and in consequence packed lunches often contain foods high in fat, sugar and salt. This contradicts the messages on healthy eating at school.
The Trust’s survey examined what was eaten by 6,696 children taking a school lunch and 3,481 pupils bringing a packed lunch from a nationally representative sample of 136 primary schools between February and April last year.
This survey has found that healthier food and drink items were chosen and eaten more frequently by pupils taking a school lunch than those bringing a packed lunch, and packed lunches often included items now restricted or prohibited by the standards for school lunches.
Pupils bringing packed lunches on average consume more meat products, e.g., sausages, meat pies, pasties and non-permitted food and drink items, e.g., drinks high in sugar, and snacks high in fat, sugar and salt. As a result, pupils who bring packed lunches typically have higher average intakes of sugar (NMES), fat, saturated fat and salt than those taking a school lunch.
