School meals plan is a 'turn off'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) warned the majority of secondary schools are not ready for new guidelines making it mandatory for them to provide lunches of a certain nutritional standard.

It said the standards are costly and too time consuming to implement.

At a conference in central London LACA put forward an alternative proposal, suggesting pupils be offered one meal that meets the nutrient standards, with a wider menu of items popular with students, but that are still healthy.

LACA past chairman Patricia Fellows told delegates: "It would reduce the inordinate amount of time that it takes to analyse menus. this time would be well spent on ensuring the higher quality of the food served.

"It would still embrace the principle of the nutrient standards as they would still play a part in every day's food on offer."

From September, secondary schools will only be able to offer pupils meals that meet all 14 nutrient standards, such as calories, fat and vitamins.

Ms Fellows said she had spent four years analysing menus and recipes in an attempt to produce a nutrient compliant menu.

She said: "One of the biggest problems was that if one recipe or food item was changed, in order to meet a particular nutrient target, this caused another target to exceed or reduce its value to an unacceptable level."

LACA which is responsible for catering in 86% of local authorities said a survey of its members had revealed that 80% believe that the introduction of the new standards will result in a decline in uptake.