SCOT GOV: JOINT STATEMENT ON SCHOOL MEALS

“Both the Scottish Government and local government take the issue of the quality and standard of school meals very seriously. Meals served in Scottish schools are safe and healthy and Scotland and both local and Scottish Government will work together to ensure that this remains the case. As we approach International School Meal Day on March 8, we are encouraged that take up of school meals has been rising since 2008 and continues to do so.

“The quality of Scottish school meals is high, and our whole school approach is internationally recognised. Progress has been made in raising the standard and quality of school meals at a local and national level over the past ten years, since the launch of the Hungry for Success initiative. The Nutritional Regulations set strict requirements for food and drink served in schools and we know from Education Scotland Health and Nutrition Inspectors that compliance is high.

“Government at all levels in Scotland is not complacent about school meal quality and even prior to 2013 it has been our joint intention to refresh Hungry for Success this year to build on progress and further drive up standards and quality in future.”

Background

• The meeting was attended by representatives of the Scottish Government, COSLA, Association of Directors of Education Scotland, North Lanarkshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, Scotland Excel and the National Parent Forum of Scotland
• Local authorities and the food standards agency have been carrying our rigorous tests, and have inspected premises of a number of whole sale providers and manufacturers
• As a precautionary basis some food products have been withdrawn by local authorities until further notice
• There have been no further positive tests of horse DNA in any school food since 21 February. In addition we can confirm that the sample did not test positive for phenylbutazone and so posed no direct health risk
• The Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 set high standards for food and drink provided in schools ensuring that pupils are offered healthy, balanced and nutritious food at school, allowing them to try new foods and develop healthy eating habits from a young age.