Junk food ban under new proposals

The new measure was proposed by Jenny Randerson AM

Junk food could be outlawed in schools under proposed legislation by a cross-party group of AMs.

It would allow the assembly government to banish unhealthy food and compel schools to teach children what makes a well-balanced diet.

A special committee set up to look at the first private member's bill under the Welsh assembly's law-making powers recommended it go ahead without delay.

But there are fears the legislation could cost too much.

The committee was established in April 2008 to consider and report on the general principles of a measure proposed by Liberal Democrat AM Jenny Randerson.

Her Healthy Eating in Schools (Wales) Measure was the first piece of legislation to be introduced by a backbench member under the Welsh assembly's new legislative powers.

The proposed measure would mean the assembly government could support the campaign for healthy school meals by enforcing minimum nutritional standards.

It could also be used to make sure pupils have access to drinking water and that everything on sale in canteens and tuck shops comes from sustainable sources.

Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru AM was among those calling for 'healthy eating' legislation for school dinners to tackle obesity

After considering the measure and consulting with pupils and key stakeholders, the committee's report said the current approach to healthy eating in schools around Wales was too varied.

This is under the assembly government's £8.4m healthy eating in schools pilot scheme Appetite for Life.

Committee chairwoman Kirsty Williams said: "If all schools were as good as the best in conveying the message to pupils and parents about the importance of healthy eating, and in providing nutritious school meals, perhaps legislation of this kind would not be necessary."

After TV chef Jamie Oliver's 2005 campaign to improve the standard of school dinners, food standards in England's schools have risen but schools inspectorate Ofsted reported a fall in take up.

And following the introduction of healthy meals in Denbighshire schools in 2006, the school meals service was put at risk because pupils rejected it.

Plaid Cymru AM Dr Dai Lloyd, who is a member of the committee, said the problems experienced in England and Denbighshire were because the changes were introduced too quickly.

This legislation may be a sledgehammer to break a nut David Evans, NUT Wales

But mother of two Anita Davies from Bridgend said she worried the cost of introducing such a scheme might mean there was less money available for children's education.

"If schools are going to have healthier options where does the money come from? Is there going to be extra money? Or is the money going to have to be taken from somewhere else?" She said.

"If it gets taken from somewhere else that is going to have implications as well."

David Evans, the secretary of the National Union of Teachers in Wales said he believed the Appetite For Life programme was "working well" and questioned the introduction of any new legislation.

"This legislation may be a sledgehammer to break a nut," he said.