Victoria bans sweets from school canteens

Victoria bans sweets from school canteens

Posted: 17 November 2008

From Foodweek, November 17, 2008

Chocolates and lollies will be banned from Victorian government school canteens and vending machines from next year.

The sweets will be replaced with fruit, salads and fresh wraps under the state government's plan to boost student health and stamina.

"With alarming statistics showing almost one-quarter of children aged two to 16 years are overweight or obese, it is vital that we work together to reinforce the healthy living message," Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said on Sunday.

About 100 schools will be audited in 2009 to ensure they comply with the confectionery ban.

The audit will cover both confectionery and high-sugar drinks and involve government schools in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

It follows a similar audit conducted in 2007 after the ban on high-sugar drinks, which found more than 98 per cent of schools were compliant with the ban.

"Research shows that around 37% of a child's total energy intake is consumed at school so it's vital that we have a range of healthy options available to help students make valuable food choices," Pike said.

"Sugar-rich foods such as lollies, jellies, sherbet and chocolate have little or no nutritional value and some confectionery such as chocolate can be high in saturated fat.

"We want to give students healthy alternatives such as fruit, salads and fresh wraps that will give them the energy and stamina they need for the day."

All of Victoria's government schools will be issued with a comprehensive checklist developed in consultation with the Victorian division of Nutrition Australia, to help implement the ban before the start of term one next year.

The checklist itemises foods that are high in sugar and offer little or no nutritional value.