I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the canteen guidelines for schools around Australia are a shemozzle. I’m trying to change them, nationwide, starting in NSW, to reflect the Australian Dietary Guidelines. So our kids aren’t left eating Paddlepops and Dim Sims for lunch. Jamie Parker MP, Ryan Parks MP, Dr Kieron Rooney and Rosemary Stanton are joining me in the fight.
I’d love your help. Here’s what you need to know…
The problem:
- Current NSW government guidelines for school canteens are a complete mess. For example: Chocolate-flavoured low-fat milk has a “green” (“safe to be consumed daily”) rating, while plain, full-fat milk has an amber rating and many schools ban it.
- The guidelines are meant to reflect the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines. Instead, they contradict them. The Guidelines put sugar in the same category as salt, alcohol and saturated fat. Yet, canteens are able to serve unlimited sugar. For example: Chocolate-flavoured Tiny Teddies (35% sugar) and Paddlepops (20% sugar) are common