Media Release
Healthy food and drink guidelines in effect next week
Changes to school guidelines designed to encourage a healthy diet take effect from next week.
From June 1, the national administration guidelines for schools will include a requirement to promote healthy food and nutrition for all students; and where food and beverages are sold on school premises, make only healthy options available.
Ministry of Education group manager, schooling implementation Colin McGregor says the changes are designed to promote healthy options at school.
“These changes are in response to growing negative health trends in young people, such as obesity and related diseases like diabetes.
“We know that the eating, drinking and recreation habits children pick up in their school years can stay with them as adults. For this reason it’s important those habits are good ones.
“Children need to be aware that some food and drink isn’t healthy, and that there are plenty of options for food and drink which are. The same goes for active versus inactive recreation.
”The new curriculum is giving students these messages in the classroom, and we need to be consistent outside the classroom during breaks.”
Colin McGregor says the benefits of healthy eating, drinking and exercise won’t only be reflected in improved health.
“Healthy kids are alert kids. Learning and behaviour outcomes for students can only improve when they are feeling physically at their best.”
Colin McGregor says while the new guidelines require schools to only sell healthy food on-site, the aim of the changes is not to take away choice.
“Parents and students themselves will still have the final say through what they choose to bring to school. What we’re trying to do is make it easier and more convenient for students to access healthy food by making it available at school.”
For more information:
Iain Butler
Senior Media Advisor
Ministry of Education
Phone: 04 463 8017
Mobile: 027 283 6122
About the NAG changes:
What is changing?
The National Administration Guidelines (NAGs) set out the basic standards of school governance that boards of trustees must adhere to. One of these six guidelines, NAG5, dealing with the safety and suitability of the school environment, was amended in May 2007 to add specific references to promoting healthy choices, and only selling healthy food on school grounds.
Who’s behind the changes?
The changes are part of the Mission-On campaign, led by SPARC, with support from the ministries of Education and Health.
Who will enforce the changes?
The Education Review Office looks at schools’ performance in line with all NAGs. They report to the Ministry of Education on how each school is doing and recommend changes if they are warranted.
Will schools have to be ‘lunch box police’?
No. This has been made very clear in the information sent to schools in the lead-up to June 1, 2008.
How will schools decide what food and drink is healthy enough to sell at school?
The Ministry of Health has developed a Food and Beverage Classification System (FBCS) to support schools, ECE services, parents and others make informed choices on what food and drink is healthy.
What else is happening to encourage healthy options in schools?
Fifty secondary schools are currently piloting the Fuelled 4 School challenge, which sees students leading health promotion activities in their own schools.
The FBCS has been reinforced with a kit sent to all schools last August. The agencies involved in Mission-On established an 0800 line provides advice on the FBCS for anyone choosing or preparing food and drink for schools or ECE centres.