Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps his Department is taking to reduce the risk of bowel cancer through supporting higher fibre diets in schools and other public sector settings.
Minister of Health: My Department works closely with the Department of Education (DE), the Education Authority (EA), Safefood, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) to implement the joint DE and Department of Health Food In Schools (FIS) Policy. This policy seeks to educate school pupils to make informed healthy food choices both in the home and school setting and to provide school meals that adhere to nutritional standards.
As part of the FIS Policy, DE completed a review of the Nutritional Standards for School Food in 2021, informed by health and education experts and the latest evidence, including the Eatwell Guide, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition reports, Public Health England sugar and salt targets, and the World Cancer Research Fund findings on processed meat. The revised standards placed a strong emphasis on increasing fibre intake within school food.
Although updated standards were agreed, funding pressures have delayed their implementation. DoH officials are now working as members of the cross organisational Food in Schools Forum to explore how nutritional standards can be updated in a way that takes account of the current severe financial constraints. Safefood supported the introduction and promotion of Veg Power’s “Eat Them to Defeat Them” campaign within primary schools in NI. The campaign provided schools with educational resources, promotional materials and opportunities for children to try a wider variety of vegetables, helping to reinforce the objectives of the FIS Policy and Nutritional Standards. By encouraging greater acceptance and consumption of vegetables among school-aged children, the initiative supported increased intake of fibre-rich foods and complements wider public health efforts to promote dietary patterns associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer.
Building on the positive outcomes from this initiative, EA developed an ‘EatSmart’ theme week, which saw participation from over 550 schools in 2025. It actively promotes healthier eating habits by encouraging children to try new foods as well as educating them about food sustainability and the importance of a healthy, nutritional diet.
The FSA promotes UK dietary guidelines through the Eatwell Guide, including the provision of free Eatwell resources for schools. The Guide is included in the school curriculum in NI and helps children learn how to achieve a healthy balanced diet. It promotes the inclusion of higher-fibre carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables and recommends limiting red and processed meat.
The FSA, PHA and Safefood, support the implementation of nutritional standards in public sector settings. These food-based standards, developed in line with the Eatwell Guide, encourage the provision of higher-fibre carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables for staff and visitors in these settings.
ENDS
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