The Welsh Government has launched a public consultation on new school food rules to improve children’s health by ensuring all pupils get nutritious meals.
The proposals aim to increase fruit and vegetable servings in primary school meals while cutting down sugary desserts and fried foods. These changes follow UK dietary guidelines and are part of a wider effort to encourage healthy eating habits early in life.
Research shows many children in Wales eat too much sugar and too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This diet imbalance contributes to childhood obesity, with one in four children starting school overweight or obese.
The proposals support the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales plan and come after the rollout of universal free school meals for all primary pupils. They represent the next step in the Government’s push to make healthy choices easier.
Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education, said good nutrition helps children perform better in school, sports, and life. She stressed that updated food rules will give children a strong start, support local food producers, and promote healthier eating to protect the NHS.
Schools and catering teams in Wales already work hard to provide healthy meals, Neagle said. She encouraged parents, teachers, suppliers, and young people to share their views to help shape the new food standards.
Rachel Bath, Public Health Consultant at Public Health Wales, welcomed the proposals. She said strong food standards in schools can improve children’s health and well-being long-term. Bath added that the changes also support a sustainable food system and local economy. She sees school meals as a key way to boost public health in Wales.
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