Experts urge the government to revise school food standards, citing health risks posed by cakes and biscuits packed with sugar.

Health campaigners have called for an overhaul of school food standards in England, advocating for a ban on cakes and biscuits in school lunches. The movement, spearheaded by Action on Sugar, a group of nutrition experts from Queen Mary University of London, claims that sugary snacks, which are still permitted under current guidelines, are contributing to unhealthy eating habits among children.

Currently, the school food standards allow for sweet treats such as cakes, pastries, buns, and scones to be served during lunchtime. These sugary items, often either bought from suppliers or homemade, have long been a part of school menus. However, experts argue that their inclusion fails to align with current health recommendations, particularly concerning sugar intake.

Alarming Sugar Content

Action on Sugar’s recent analysis of various popular snacks has uncovered some startling results. For instance, Ritter Sport marzipan contains a whopping 51g of sugar per packet—equivalent to 12 teaspoons. Similarly, their hazelnut varieties contain 44g of sugar, which is around 11 teaspoons. The findings highlight the extreme sugar content of some items, which can quickly lead children to exceed their daily sugar limit in just one meal.

Dr Kawther Hashem, a public health nutrition expert and head of research at Action on Sugar, stressed that these findings underscore the need for action. “These findings reinforce the urgent need for a complete ban on cakes and biscuits currently permitted under the school food standards at lunchtime, as they are unlikely to align with current maximum sugar guidelines,” she stated.

Dr Hashem added that schools have a responsibility to provide children with environments that promote healthy eating. “We have a duty to every child to make every school a sanctuary from unnecessary sugar, so they can grow up healthier, stronger, and free from the risks of diet-related diseases,” she said.

The Danger of Excessive Sugar

Campaigners argue that the school food standards might inadvertently encourage children to exceed their daily recommended sugar intake by allowing these snacks. A typical child could easily consume 23 teaspoons of sugar in one day if they eat a cake at lunch, a chocolate bar on the way home, and biscuits in the evening. This high intake contributes to a range of health problems, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, the group believes that the government should extend its sugar tax, which currently applies only to sugary drinks, to other highly sugared products such as confectionery. They argue that this could further discourage the consumption of sugary snacks and help manufacturers reformulate products with less sugar.

Government Response

In response to the campaign, the government has reinforced its commitment to promoting healthy eating in schools. A government spokesperson remarked, “We encourage all schools to promote healthy eating and provide nutritious food and drink, and we have recently launched new training for school governors to increase their understanding of School Food Standards, ensuring children have access to nutritious meals throughout the school day.”

The spokesperson also highlighted the government’s broader objective of creating the healthiest generation of children in British history. Part of this vision includes shifting the focus from treating diet-related illnesses to preventing them, which also involves limiting children’s access to fast food.

Long-Term Health Risks

Excessive sugar consumption is directly linked to a variety of long-term health issues, particularly childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems. Campaigners believe that tackling these issues early, by cutting down on sugar in school lunches, will help to set children on a path to healthier habits, reducing their risk of diet-related diseases later in life.

Action on Sugar’s call to ban sugary snacks in schools is part of a wider movement to improve children’s nutrition and raise awareness about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption. The group’s push for reform aims to ensure that school meals adhere to current health guidelines and contribute to a healthier future for children across the country.

By removing cakes and biscuits from the lunch menu, the group believes that schools can play a vital role in protecting children from unnecessary sugar intake. While the government remains cautious about making immediate changes, the issue of sugar consumption in schools is increasingly gaining attention, with more calls for action expected in the coming months