LAST UPDATE | 11 Apr

THE NUTRITION LEVELS of hot school meals provided to school pupils are to be reviewed by officials from the Department of Health, education minister Helen McEntee has confirmed.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, McEntee said that the government “just need to improve it”, and revealed that a nutritionist from the Department of Health will examine the nutrition of the free meals.

The department of education, along with the department of social protection, have said that they will remove food that is high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt from the school meal menus immediately.

Up to now, this food had been permitted once a week, when selected by the child’s parents.

The Hot Schools Meals scheme is an addition to the Schools Meal Programme that according to the government aims to provide “regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them”.

The Hot School Meals element was introduced in 2019, beginning in 30 pilot schools. 

A further 713 primary schools have been added to the Hot School Meals Programme from today, bringing the total number of schools in receipt of hot meals to 2,850.

All DEIS primary schools are now eligible to receive a hot meal and last year, with government plans to expand the programme to all primary schools by 2030.

However, the programme has faced backlash, with teachers and health experts voicing concern over the kind of food being served to children.

As well as the nutritional content, experts have taken issue with the origin of the ingredients and the waste produced by the scheme, which they say was “thrown together” too quickly.

Last year, the HSE’s national clinical lead for obesity last month voiced concerns about the ability of schools to order ultra-processed food.

The Department of Social Protection has said the nutrition standards were developed by a technical working group led by Health and Wellbeing Programme, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the HSE.

It has said they follow the Food Safety Authority of Ireland dietary recommendations.

The written guidelines state that processed meat products, fried foods, foods cooked in batter or breadcrumbs or foods containing pastry, “should only be provided once a week maximum, if at all”. This, it says, includes bacon, ham, sausages, and chicken nuggets.

It stipulated that on the day when processed meat is served, schools should aim to provide a healthier alternative.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne show, social protection minister Dara Calleary said that his department will “engage with” reports from the nutritionist examining hot school meals.

He added that the “vast majority” of meals currently available to students are “what I would consider nutritious”.

In a statement, he said that “nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government”. I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards and this will be conducted by a dietician based out of the Department of Health. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of the year.”

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“In the meantime, we will remove food that is high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt from the school meal menus. Up to now, this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child’s parents. There is a lead-in time for a change like this, so it will happen by September this year.”

“Under the Programme for Government we will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals Programme. We will also ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals and the dietary requirements of students. We are also working to reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging.”

McEntee said that both the education and social protection departments “need to make sure it’s the best it can be”.

“Already, the benefits that we’re seeing are absolutely phenomenal - as I said, we have children coming to school who are able to learn who weren’t able to before,” McEntee added.

The review into hot school meals is expected to be formally announced this morning by social protection minister Dara Calleary.

“Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government. I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards and this will be conducted by a dietician based out of the Department of Health. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of the year.”
“In the meantime, we will remove food that is high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt from the school meal menus. Up to now, this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child’s parents. There is a lead-in time for a change like this, so it will happen by September this year.”
“Under the Programme for Government we will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals Programme. We will also ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals and the dietary requirements of students. We are also working to reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging.”