Primary schools will be prohibited from serving fruit juice starting next September in order to reduce children's sugar consumption. This decision has quickly faced negative reactions from nutrition experts.
New Changes in School Menus
According to the government's new plans, schools will not be allowed to serve fried foods, and every meal must include vegetables or salad. Additionally, the use of whole grains and legumes such as lentils and chickpeas will be mandatory in the food menu at least once a week.
Concerns About Vitamins
However, nutrition experts have warned that the ban on fruit juice may lead to overlooking a valuable source of vitamin C for growing bodies. Rob Hobson, a nutritionist, stated that a small serving of fruit juice is "not concerning" and is even considered one of the five essential daily servings.
He added: "A small amount of fruit juice contains useful nutrients including vitamin C, which the government is ignoring. This change will not benefit children's health."
Andy Bagnall, the director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, believes that removing fruit juice from school menus will have the opposite effect. He pointed out that only 6% of children from low-income families are able to meet the daily five servings of fruits and vegetables.
According to Bagnall, "This action may worsen existing nutritional disparities. Removing an accessible source of vitamins and minerals could make it difficult for some children to achieve a healthy diet."
According to current NHS guidelines, children from the age of five can have one glass of fruit juice or a non-frozen smoothie daily. Vitamin C is essential for children's overall health and immune system and helps them absorb iron better, which is very important for brain function and learning.
The new rules for primary schools will come into effect in September 2027, and secondary schools will initially be allowed to serve fruit juice, but a total ban will be implemented starting September 2028.
These developments are part of a broader effort to combat childhood obesity, as children at the age of seven consume on average more than three times the allowable amount of sugar.
