Chips, fizzy drinks and chocolate should be banned from schools in Wales, according to the Welsh National Union of Teachers (NUT).

Welsh NUT secretary Gethin Lewis called on the country’s general assembly to remove junk food from schools when it issues its nutritional guidelines in the summer.

Lewis said: “We have a big problem with unhealthy eating in Wales and lunch is the only main meal of the day for a lot of kids. We also want to see all unhealthy vending machines removed.”

But the English NUT refused to endorse the Welsh plea for a complete junk-food ban.

An NUT spokeswoman said: “We are concerned about the quality of food in schools but nutrition is all about balance. Chips every day is bad but they’re not a problem now and then.”

Lewis said: “This is just another example of Wales leading the way.”

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National Assembly for Wales >>

DfES school caterers guidance >>

By Tom Bill

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