Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 45212/22-27, to detail any steps his Department is taking to update the nutritional standards for school menus, bringing them in line with the latest dietary advice, including on fibre.
Minister of Education: My Department completed a review of the nutritional standards for school food in 2021. This was informed by a working group of health and educational school food experts to ensure alignment with government guidance on healthy eating such as the Eatwell Guide.
Whilst revised nutritional standards were agreed, due to budgetary pressures, the necessary funding to take forward their implementation has not yet been available.
My officials are currently working with the cross-organisational Food in Schools Forum to explore how nutritional standards could be improved in a way that takes account of the severe financial pressures.
ENDS
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