Does the food and drink provided during canteen theme days or one off events have to meet the standards?
The nutrient-based and final food-based standards for school lunches must be met in primary schools by September 2008 and in secondary schools by September 2009. The standards apply to all food and drink provided during a planned menu cycle as part of a school lunch. However, the Government believes it to be sensible and practical to allow exemptions for legitimate ‘occasional’ events held on school premises. These include occasional theme days (e.g. a French day to compliment a school trip, or meals provided for a cultural occasion such as Christmas). Therefore, food and drink provided as part of an occasional theme day is not required to meet the nutrient-based standards, and catering providers would not be required to enter details of the food and drink provided during occasional events into their nutrient analysis.
