Savoury snacks high in salt and fat such as crisps are no longer allowed.
What is specified in this standard?
The only snacks available at lunchtime should be nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables with no added salt, fat* or sugar. This means that snacks high in salt and fat such as crisps are no longer allowed. Savoury crackers or breadsticks can only be served with fruit or vegetables or dairy food as part of school lunch.
*Except that dried fruit may contain up to 0.5% vegetable oil as a glazing agent
Why this standard needs to be in place
- To remove products such as packets of crisps (which tend to be high in fat and salt), from school lunch services. These types of snack products, like confectionery, displace more nourishing food.
- To encourage children to eat a balanced meal at lunch times.
- To change the eating habits of children, as research shows that when given a selection they will choose the less healthy option. By restricting less healthy options we aim to encourage children to routinely make healthier eating choices in and out of school.
What products cannot be served?
- Any potato, cereal (maize, wheat, oat, rye or rice-based) soya, nuts, seeds, fruit or vegetable snacks with added salt or sugar For example crisps, potato shapes, sweetened and salted popcorn, Japanese rice crackers, flavoured rice cakes, snack biscuits, Bombay mix and salted or sweetened nuts.
- Note: sandwiches, filled rolls, bagels, paninis and crumpets are not counted as snacks.
Good practice
- Use low fat, low salt savoury biscuits when serving these at lunchtime as part of a meal. Remember they can only be provided if served with fruit, vegetables or a dairy product such as cheese.
- Be aware of nut allergies. Always refer back to the school and catering policies regarding nuts. Many schools are finding that cases of allergies from peanuts (as well as milk and eggs) are on the increase. The Anaphylaxis campaign states that even the most extreme form of allergy – anaphylaxis – is manageable in schools and cross contamination can be significantly lowered by washing hands with soap after eating/handling nuts. We recommend you visit the allergy in schools website (www.allergyinschools.org.uk) for accurate, reliable information on managing allergies in schools.
Does this standard apply across the school day?
Yes. From September 2007 snacks should be restricted to those listed above across the school day.
