Private caterers have admitted they will think twice about bidding on state school deals if profitable confectionery items are banned.

Initial Catering and Harrison said the School Food Trust's proposals to remove all confectionery items from school tuck shops, vending machines and breakfast clubs meant they would analyse the profitability of contracts more carefully.

Harrison managing director Geoffrey Harrison said: "We support the push for healthier food, but if you remove the revenue coming into a school, someone has to pick up the tab. We don't see the Government subsidising meals, so it will have to come from parents."

Initial expressed similar concerns. A spokeswoman said: "We will only look at new contracts and re-tenders where the local authority is looking to provide a sensibly priced fresh offer."

Caterers claim school meal uptake has on average fallen by 12.5% following Jamie Oliver's campaign.

By Tom Bill