A 7NEWS investigation into school canteens has revealed Victorian children are at the mercy of unregulated amounts of ultra-processed junk food.
More than 70 primary schools were marked against the government’s own healthy eating policy. Not one passed the test.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Victorian school canteens fail healthy eating standards
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Analysis of dozens of school tuck shops by a leading dietitian saw every one given an F, with canteens failing to meet mandatory minimum standards to keep kids healthy.
“I think it’s quite concerning because it is a minimum standard to be met,” accredited dietitian Rosalie Orr said.
The Victorian government has a traffic light system for school canteens. Green food must make up at least half of the menu, amber foods are to be eaten in moderation, and red junk food should never be on the daily menu.
“They’re actually promoting more discretionary foods within the school system and that’s going to create health issues for many people later in life,” Orr said.
Of more than 70 schools analysed across Melbourne, on average fewer than half are meeting health standards to have green choices make up at least 50 per cent of their menus.
One in five items shouldn’t be there at all.
The best performer was East Doncaster Primary, with 68 per cent of its food categorised as healthy. At Research Primary, almost half of the food available shouldn’t have a permanent place, with only 11 per cent classified as good choices.
“Essentially they’re [parents] placing their trust in a government policy that isn’t being adhered to,” Orr said.
The findings raise major concerns for experts in the fight against childhood obesity.
“It seems kind of baffling that children are left to make the decisions about what is healthy to eat,” Danielle Longmore from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute said.
“I think it really needs to be called out.”
In a statement to 7NEWS, the Department of Education says school canteens should ensure nutritious food and drinks are readily available, but didn’t address why their guidelines aren’t being followed.
