FRUIT juice could be taken off the menu in Argyll and Bute’s schools – while pupils are set for a reduction in how often they can eat red meat and pastries.

Councillors are set to debate the planned changes to school dinners by the Scottish Government at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee on Tuesday, December 10.

The proposed alterations include the total removal of fruit juice, including smoothies, from schools, with only water and milk drinks to be made available, as well as tea and coffee in secondary schools.

The only savoury snacks which would be allowed in primary schools under the plan would be plain crackers, oatcakes or breadsticks.

Primary pupils would also only be allowed up to 175g of red meat per week, rising to 230g for secondary pupils, and pastry products – including pies, croissants and Danish pastries – would be available no more than twice a week at either level.

But the council’s executive director with responsibility for commercial services, Douglas Hendry, has recommended that “mitigating actions” should be pursued by the council.

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This includes agreement on whether sugar-free, caffeine-free, branded soft drinks should be reintroduced into secondary schools from autumn 2020.

Mr Hendry said: “Overall, the population consumes too many calories as well as too much fat, salt and sugar, and has resulted in increasing levels of obesity and obesity related health conditions.

“There are some very positive changes as part of these proposals, such as increasing the availability of fruit and vegetables throughout the school day, as well as at lunchtime.

“Officers acknowledge that school meals should be an exemplar of healthier choices and should help to influence children and young people to eat well and change Scottish food culture.

“However, officers are concerned that these changes are being made, to an extent, in isolation, and the wider implications of the changes require greater consideration and mitigation before legislative changes are made.

“The potential impact of these changes could be far reaching, and local authorities across Scotland are in the process of identifying what these impacts are likely to be.

“Due to the radical nature of some of the changes, the choice available for pupils and familiarity of products will significantly reduce.

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“This will likely result in pupils in primary schools opting to have a packed lunch, and pupils in secondary schools opting to leave school to ensure they have a full choice.

“It is a statutory duty to ensure that uptake is maximised, and officers expect uptake to reduce. It is difficult to determine at this stage the level of reduction that could be expected.

“Some local authorities have tested implications of only some elements, and have already seen a five to ten per cent drop in uptake.

“This will increase with full implementation of all aspects of the changes.”

Mr Hendry’s report also highlights concerns about potential food waste, an impact on commercial activities in secondary schools, and an increase in allergies.

On the issue of drinks in secondary schools, he added: “Drinks in secondary schools offer an interesting opportunity.

“While fruit based drinks that have been specifically developed by suppliers for the school market will no longer be permitted, the proposed guidance will now permit schools to sell sugar free, caffeine free soft drinks such as flavoured water, as well as brands such as sugar free Sprite, Lilt, Tango and Fanta.

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“The Scottish Government has left decisions on selling these products down to individual local authorities, and a decision is required on whether Argyll and Bute Council will choose to sell these from autumn 2020.

“This could be a way of mitigating lost income; however, it could raise concerns around other health claims of sweetener [not supported by the technical working group] and around single use plastics.”

Mr Hendry concluded: “The comprehensive review of food and drinks in schools will result in the implementation of significant changes to all school food over the next 12 months.

“Although the overall aims of these changes to improve the Scottish diet are positive, officers do have concerns over the implementation timescale, the range of changes being made and some of the unintended consequences that are likely to arise.

“Officers will be working with colleagues from across the council, with other local authorities and with suppliers to manage these issues as effectively as possible, and to develop the best ways in which to mitigate the impact.

“[This is] while continuing to promote positive messages around food and drink and encouraging school meals uptake to as many pupils as possible.”

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