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Pembrokeshire Herald

Healthy food for schools: New proposals to improve children's diets

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has this week launched a public consultation on new school food regulations aimed at improving children's health and well-being by ensuring all pupils have access to nutritious meals. The proposed changes focus on increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in primary school meals and reducing the availability of sugary desserts and fried foods. The plans align with UK dietary guidelines and are part of a broader strategy to promote healthy eating habits from an early age. Evidence shows that many children in Wales consume too much sugar and not enough fruit, vegetables, or wholegrains. This imbalance contributes to childhood obesity, with one in four children starting school already overweight or obese. These new proposals support the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy and follow the completion of the rollout of universal free school meals for all primary pupils. They mark the next phase in the Government's commitment to making the healthy choice the easy choice. Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: 'Good nutrition is vital for helping young people perform at their best – whether in the classroom, on the pitch, or chasing their dreams. Our evidence-based updates to school food rules will give children the best start in life, support Welsh food producers, and nurture a generation of healthy eaters to safeguard the future of our NHS. 'Schools and catering teams across Wales are already working hard to provide nutritious meals. I want to build on that progress and hear directly from parents, teachers, suppliers and young people. By working together, we can shape food standards that benefit every child in Wales – both now and in the future.' Rachel Bath, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Wales, added: 'Public Health Wales welcomes these proposals for primary schools. Evidence shows that robust food standards in schools can have a lasting positive impact on children's health and well-being. Strengthening these regulations is a vital step toward building lifelong healthy eating habits. 'These changes not only benefit children's health but also support a more sustainable food system and local economy. Through collaboration and oversight, school food can become a powerful tool for improving public health in Wales.'