August 2010 A national study examined what was taken and eaten by primary school children in 2009 and compared with similar data collected in 2005.
This full technical report presents detailed methods and the findings of a national survey conducted in England. From a nationally representative sample of 136 primary schools, information on catering provision at lunchtime, and information on food selection and consumption of 6,696 pupils having school lunches and 3,428 pupils bringing packed lunches was examined. Pupils in the study ranged from the age of three to 12 years. An additional aim of the survey was to assess the compliance of provision with the standards for school food. The data was collected between February and April 2009 and findings have been compared to a similar survey carried out in 151 primary schools in England in 2005.
Since 2005 and after the final food-based and nutrient-based standards became law for primary schools in England in September 2008, lunchtime food provision is now substantially healthier with more fruit, fruit-based desserts, vegetables and salad, water and fruit juice, and fewer condiments, starchy foods cooked in fat, snacks and confectionery being provided.
Compared to 2005, more pupils in 2009 took water, vegetables and salad, fruit juice, fruit-based desserts, fruit, starchy foods not cooked in fat, milk, yogurt and milky drinks, and less pupils took ‘non-fruit-based desserts’, condiments and non-permitted food and drink items (e.g. snacks, confectionery). On average, pupils in 2009 chose 2.2 portions of fruit and vegetables from their recommended ‘five a day’. Pupils who consumed packed lunches ate significantly more fat, saturated fat, non-milk extrinsic sugars, sodium, calcium, iron and vitamin C and less protein, vitamin A, fibre and zinc than pupils who ate school lunches.
Following the introduction of standards for school food, results from this survey provide evidence that school lunches have become healthier. The findings in this report also provide clear evidence that on balance, lunches provided by schools are more healthy than lunches brought from home. However, there still remain a number of changes that need to be made so that schools provide food and drink fully compliant with the standards.
