North Tyneside, Durham and South Tyneside councils have defended their school meal options after a national report claimed three-quarters of English secondary schools are breaching government food standards.
Bite Back report findings
The report, from Jamie Oliver’s food charity Bite Back, said three out of four menus across 391 secondary state schools in England contained some form of breach in government school meals requirements. The Guardian reported that most violations centre on offering unhealthy foods too regularly.
According to the report, 206 schools surveyed offered snacks high in fat, starch, or salt – which are supposed to be totally restricted – including crisps, chocolate, and pastries, for sale at breakfast and lunch. 224 schools were providing meat such as burgers, nuggets, sausages, and goujons more than twice a week.
Council responses
A North Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “Supporting young people to make healthy food choices is an important part of promoting their health and wellbeing, and schools play a key role in this. Schools and governing bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with national school food standards, and we will continue to work constructively with our schools to support healthy eating.”
Bite Back’s report also found that 144 schools were offering fried starchy foods, such as hash browns, more than twice a week. 123 schools were found using solid chocolate in desserts, despite it being banned.
A South Tyneside Council spokesperson added: “South Tyneside Catering Services provides catering in Council-operated secondary schools, offering pupils a wide choice of nutritious meals that comply with the Government’s School Food Standards and are designed to provide balanced, healthy options every day.
“Our council-run secondary schools operate a cashless cafeteria service offering a range of hot meals and lighter options, from salads and sandwiches, wraps and pasta dishes, all of which are nutritionally analysed and regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the requirements.
“While secondary school students choose their own meals from the options available, we support healthy eating by ensuring nutritious food is readily available and limit less healthy products in line with national standards. We have also increased plant-based options, with more than half of daily menu choices now vegetarian or vegan, and reduced added sugar across our dessert range by 30%.
“Our catering team also works closely with schools, including student councils, health professionals, nutritionists and other partners to promote healthy eating and encourage as many families as possible to take advantage of high-quality school meals.”
Durham’s support service
The local authority caters for three out of eight of South Tyneside’s secondary schools. The other schools have their own private providers as academies. South Tyneside Catering Services has also been awarded the ProVeg School Plates Silver Award for the three years running.
Rachel Farnham, Durham County Council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said: “We understand that healthy school meals are an important part of the school day. That’s why we offer a service to all secondary schools across County Durham to provide them with support for both in-house catering services and externally contracted provision.
“Although schools are not required to opt-in to this service, it offers ongoing advice and guidance throughout the year on all aspects of school catering. This includes School Food Standards and regulatory requirements.”
Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, and Sunderland City councils were approached for comment.
