Jamie Oliver warns Michael Gove on academy school meals

22 April 2012

Summary:

Jamie Oliver has critized the British Education Secretary Michael Gove for his policy. According to this policy state schools have to follow strict nutritional guidelines concerning school food while semi-independent academy schools do not have to follow these guidelines. Jamie Oliver is worried that vending machines at academy schools still contain junk food like sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks. The number of children in Britain with obesity has grown tremendously. Michael Gove wrote Jamie Oliver a letter in which he said about the academic schools: “I trust the professionals to act in the best interest of their pupils”.

Opinion:

The policy in Britain concerning the nutritional guidelines for school food should be the same for every school. I think Jamie is right when he wants Michael Gove to impose these guidelines to academies. Many children eat their daily dinner at school, so it is very important that these dinners contain healthy substance. Crisps and sweets from a vending machine should not be an alternative choice for children. I can imagine that a vending machine with junk food will produce a higher yield than a machine with healthy foods. Profit can be a reason for schools to continue with selling junk food.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17803918