Fat trimmed from school menu in the UK

Jamie Oliver

LONDON - Fat-filled burgers, turkey twizzlers and fizzy drinks are off the school menu from now as the drive to tackle childhood obesity kicks in.

From this week, pupils in England must be served healthier options on the dinner menu and in vending machines, under Department for Education guidelines following a campaign by the chef Jamie Oliver.

Each meal must now include at least two portions of fruit and vegetables, while deep-fried foods can only be served twice a week.

The British Government has put aside an extra £240 million ($707 million) to subsidise healthy ingredients until 2011 and school chefs will get more training. Secondary school pupils will be offered cookery lessons from 2008.

The aim is to improve pupils' health, behaviour and concentration.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Schools ... cannot turn around years of decline in eating habits without major changes in attitude on the part of parents and the food industry."

Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Education, said the new guidelines should transform youngsters' eating habits for life. The Automatic Vending Association called the move misguided.

- INDEPENDENT