Northern Ireland to ban high fat snacks from schools

Northern Ireland looks set to ban high fat snacks and sugary fizzy drinks in schools from September this year.

Education minister Maria Eagle said that, in an attempt to curb childhood obesity, snacks high in fat, salt or sugar and fizzy drinks would be banned from sale in schools.

She said: “Child obesity is one of the most important health issues today, and schools have a role to play in changing pupils’ attitudes on health and nutrition.

The minister added that the drive to increase healthy eating amongst children was being sabotaged by allowing them access to less healthy options in tuck shops, vending machines and other snack outlets.

She added that despite much having been achieved already to improve nutritional standard for school meals: “We can, and must, set our sights higher. My intention is to extend the strategy of improving children’s health, through nutrition, to include all sources of food in schools.”

Guidance will be issued shortly to schools on the types of products that will no longer be permitted for sale in schools.

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By Emily Manson

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