A study finds that school lunchboxes have improved by only 0.5% in the last decade, with only one in five containing vegetables.
Just 1.6% of packed lunches in England’s primary schools meet nutritional standards, according to a study.Researchers at the University of Leeds found lunchboxes continue to be filled with high levels of saturated fats, sugars and salts.
Just one in five boxes contain any vegetables or salad.
Of all the lunchboxes examined, less than 20% met the standards for energy, vitamin A or zinc.
Only 26% met the standard for iron.
Between 52% and 60% contained too many sweet and savoury snacks, while 46% included sugary drinks.
The research, commissioned by Flora, found that the quality of young children’s lunchboxes has improved by just 0.5% in the last 10 years.
Flora is working with MP Sharon Hodgson, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of School Food.
The Government is being urged to put packed lunches at the heart of its childhood obesity drive.
Campaigners want to cut down on the amount of crisps, chocolate biscuits and sugary drinks being brought into schools.
Jo Nicholas, head of research at the Children’s Food Trust, said: “We’ve got to do more to help parents and schools with this.
“Putting a packed lunch policy in place can be tough, but every school allowing packed lunches needs one if we’re going to make life easier for parents and give kids a consistent message.” (Sky News)
