Food Standards Agency
Saturday 20 March 2010
Business campaign
AZ-Directory
What's NewRSS
What is RSS?Listen
Listen to this siteTuesday 4 October 2005
These three pilot projects were commissioned by the Agency to investigate the impact of caterer-led changes on pupil nutrient intake.
Findings indicate that it is possible to achieve small changes in nutrient intakes through procurement and preparation practices, such as changing food products to those with a lower fat content and using more vegetables in dishes.
A feature of the pilots was the engagement and consultation with pupils about the menu changes. The pilots took place in three local authorities: Cambridgeshire, Knowsley and Southwark.
The key barriers to change were highlighted by the studies, such as the cost of changing practices and sustaining them.
The need for target nutrient specifications for processed foods used in schools, currently out for consultation by the Agency, was confirmed. Target nutrient specifications are intended to help caterers identify which foods can help them develop healthier meals.
The pilot studies provided valuable indications of implementation issues that will need to be addressed as standards are revised.
In August the findings of the pilot studies were fed into the School Meals Review Panel, which is led by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
The Review Panel made recommendations on statutory minimum standards for both primary and secondary school meals on 3 October 2005.
The DfES has issued a public consultation on new draft school meal standards, based on the recommendations of the Review Panel. These are intended to become mandatory from September 2006.
Back to topDownload pdf
(pdf 195KB) Cambridgeshire Secondary School Meals Pilot ProjectDownload pdf
(pdf 143KB) Improving School Meals in the London Borough of SouthwarkDownload pdf
(pdf 57KB) (External) Get Adobe Acrobat reader You may need the free Acrobat Reader to view a pdfFind out what our other sites have to offer