Scotland will become the first part of the UK to set maximum limits for consumption of red processed meat over the course of the school week.
This move is part of the initiative to make school food healthier which includes increasing the amount of fruit and vegetable served and significantly reducing the amount of sugar available throughout the school day.
The change strengthens the Scottish Government and Local Government efforts to improve diet, halve childhood obesity by 2030 and strengthen children and young people’s healthy eating habits.
School food regulations will be amended to ensure:
- a minimum of two full portions of vegetables and a full portion of fruit are offered as part of a school lunch, with full portions of fruit and or vegetables also available in, for example, tuck shops
- a maximum amount of red and processed red meat provision - such as bacon, ham and pepperoni - in school lunches to help reduce exposure to nitrites
- removal of fruit juice and smoothies from primary and secondary schools to help reduce sugar intake
The measures follow extensive consultation and advice from a working group comprising health, nutrition and education experts.
The regulations will come into effect by autumn 2020 to allow councils time to plan their menus and supply chains.