Parents have slammed an ‘incredibly patronising’ and ‘confusing’ school menu, which bans children from bringing in Dairy Milk bars or crisps in from home, but allows KitKats and Wotsits in school lunches.
Taking to Mumsnet, one confused UK parent revealed the bizarre list of rules which said exactly what could go in a packed lunch at their child’s primary school.
The table was split into three columns, with foods labelled ‘green,’ ‘amber’ or ‘red’.
Parents are told that green foods should be included in lunchboxes everyday, which consisted of fruit, vegetables, a protein and a healthy carbohydrate.
Taking to Mumsnet , the confused UK parent revealed the bizarre list of rules which said exactly what could go in a packed lunch. The table was split into three columns, with foods labelled ‘green,’ ‘amber’ or ‘red’
Amber foods are allowed in lunches as treats, and include fruit and tea cake, Wotsits, scones, biscuits, Mr Kipling and baked crisps.
But red foods that aren’t allowed at all include solid chocolate treats, sweets and doughnuts.
‘So according to my (primary) schools “healthy” lunchbox rules I can give my child a kitkat (biscuit based chocolate bar) but I can’t give them a small chocolate coin or some cubes of chocolate as these are solid chocolate,’ she explained.
‘It seems to make no sense to me – indeed the whole policy seems to be a box ticking exercise so they can be considered a “healthy school” by [the] county.
Parents are told that green foods should be included in lunchboxes everyday, which consisted of fruit, vegetables, a protein and a healthy carbohydrate (stock image)
‘Does anyone know of guidelines/ rules that make more sense? I’d like to make a suggestion on improvements rather than just complaining,’ she continued.
Fellow parents on Mumsnet users were confused by the guidance, with many saying they had similar experiences at other schools.
‘I can’t bear this. They’re your children, you are in charge of what they eat. But since you have sent them to a school with this sort of approach, overall, I have to say, the rules seem healthy enough. Just give them a chocolate wafer,’ said one.
‘Honestly. It probably is box ticking, but that’s just what schools have to do. Given the stress staff are currently under I’d have to feel awfully strongly about biscuit classification before I bothered the headteacher about it. Just give your child chocolate outside of school hours,’ added another.
Amber foods are allowed in lunches as treats, and include fruit and tea cake, Wotsits, scones, biscuits, Mr Kipling and baked crisps. But red foods that aren’t allowed at all include solid chocolate treats, sweets and doughnuts (stock image)
‘The list is a bit daft. Why are wotsits and Mr Kipling cakes okay, but not a donut? Hmm,’ wrote another.
‘They have zero right to dictate what you feed your child. Schools overstepping the line like this makes me furious. Also that guide is incredibly patronising and treats parents like morons,’ added another.
However, some agreed with the guidance, saying the list was ‘sensible’.
‘What’s your problem with the rules? Do you think that Kit Kat’s should never be allowed or do you think that all chocolate should be allowed? I don’t really see the problem with these rules. An occasional Kit Kat is better than a Mars bar,’ said one.
‘Why do you need to give a chocolate coin for lunch? Can’t you give it to him on the way home from school? Or as a dessert after your evening meal?’ added another.
‘Seems like a pretty sensible list to me,’ commented a third.