Banned food changes for welsh primary schools 'look reasonable'

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING MAJOR CHANGES TO PRIMARY SCHOOL MEALS, AIMED AT REDUCING CHILDHOOD OBESITY. 11:04, 21 May 2025 Wales Online readers have been engaging in a lively debate

over the Welsh Government's plans to overhaul primary school meals, with an aim to tackle childhood obesity. The proposed changes would see fruit juice, white bread, and sugary cereals

banned from primary schools in Wales. Under the new proposals aimed at promoting healthier eating habits, fruit juice, white bread, and sugary cereals are set to be prohibited in Welsh

primary schools. Additionally, the consumption of sugary puddings, cheese, and processed meats like gammon and ham will be curtailed, while red meat – hailed as "a great source of

iron" – and fish are to be served at least once weekly. The Welsh Government has put forward these significant alterations to school food provisions for implementation from the 2026-27

academic year, following a consultation that commenced on Monday. The strategy also includes increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables on school menus to support the goal of

consuming five portions a day, alongside a reduction in saturated fats and sugars. A detailed breakdown of the proposed list can be found here. One reader. SlainteMhath believes: "Food

is food, especially to a young, growing body. I taught for many years and witnessed this attempt at making the food healthier. What happened was the children did not eat the sticks and

twigs. They threw them away. The ones it hurt most were the neediest, and they needed it the most. Let these leaders who want to dictate what children eat be put on the same restrictions.

Children need lots of calories and high quality animal protein. For growing body and brain." N31ld adds: "Visited a conference last week. One of the topics was school food and the

need to educate from a young age, right through to parents being skilled to make food from scratch. Even meals that are raw, pre-prepared food in supermarkets, like meal kits, contain far

more additives than freshly prepared. An organisation called Chefs in Schools involve kids in the production of school meals whilst training the cooks on healthy foods. Kids have home

economics lessons in the school kitchen and help prepare the lunch for that day. Teaching them life skills to carry through to adult life and influence their parents. Article continues below

"The main problem is children not playing outside because it is no longer safe to do so. I walked to school on my own from aged 8. Every day we would visit the sweet shop. Sometimes 3

times a day. Obesity was never a problem as we played outside in break time and for hours after school, burning off all of those calories. Now I wouldn’t let my teen daughter out for that

duration." Mickmamoosh80 says: "Kids don't need semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, whole milk is better, especially if cutting sugar down is the goal, as there's less sugar in

whole milk. Also, more healthy fats should be included and less carbs to keep kids satiated. Governments need to stop allowing food companies to fill foods with junk which they've

allowed to go on for years, so politicians are to blame for most of the issues especially with their food pyramid which was promoted for years and was completely wrong and unfortunately now

the horse has bolted, also if they want to tackle obesity and make public leisure centres more affordable for families and give more incentives to use them." Ospreyontheroad writes:

"Doesn't really affect me as my children are now grown up and my Grandchildren don't go to school in Wales, but on the whole the changes do look reasonable, but will the Welsh

Government provide the funding to the schools to do this properly? I doubt it! Also, where is the logic in putting fruit on the menu, but banning fruit juice? Schools just need juice with

no added sugars, etc!" Lillylou speaks from experience: "As someone who works in a school kitchen, I can categorically tell you THEY DON'T EAT IT! The amount of waste coming

from my school is heartbreaking. These FSM that all children are now entitled to is just not working. Give the extra to those who need it, of course. But those who can afford to pay should.

Parents are ordering their children food we are preparing, cooking and serving it, but they are just throwing it away. A total waste of money." Airmarshall says: "Whilst I fully

accept the need for healthy meals for our children in a school environment, Welsh Government will change the goal posts again without providing adequate funding which will lead to smaller

portion size and limited choice. This is progress I assume given all the other appalling decisions the Welsh Government has made." SideshowBob21 believes: "All look decent changes

in fairness. I am sure there will be a few that moan because ‘my child is picky with what they eat’ but these seem like good, well thought out changes." Article continues below DO YOU

THINK THESE MEASURES GO FAR ENOUGH IN THE FIGHT AGAIN CHILD OBESITY? JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION HERE OR IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.