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Minister pledges to tackle school 'junk food rubbish'

 Education Secretary Alan Johnson today pledged to stop feeding children the "rubbish that they have been given for decades".

He admitted that school dinners had suffered from "decades of under-investment", ahead of the launch of new rules designed to ban junk food from schools.

Pupils will be limited to two portions of chips a week and served at least two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal under the guidelines.

Mr Johnso said the new school meals would prove popular providing they were "more attractive and healthier", and children and parents were educated about the need for better nutrition.

The Education Secretary denied that schools would struggle to find contractors to cook the new healthier meals.

He told GMTV: "If you put the investment in, which we're doing, if you insist on the quality and you insist that our kids can no longer be given the kind of rubbish that they have been given for decades, you will find the contractors.

"Or you will employ locally employed catering staff to do it themselves. The money's there, and it's up to schools and local authorities to use it."

The new minimum nutritional standards for school food follow a high-profile campaign by Jamie Oliver.

The celebrity chef recently voiced frustration that his campaign had been hindered by the fact that Prime Minister Tony Blair had changed his Education Secretary again.

Mr Johnson, who replaced Ruth Kelly in the latest Cabinet reshuffle, will publish the new rules designed to ensure children eat healthier food throughout the school day.

The changes include:

:: The banning from school lunches of low-quality meat products, fizzy drinks, crisps, chocolate and other confectionery;

:: High-quality poultry, meat and oily fish must be available on a regular basis;

:: Pupils will be served a minimum of two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal;

:: Any deep-fried items will be restricted to a maximum of two portions each week.

Ministers have also announced plans to ban junk food and fizzy drinks from vending machines in schools.

Schools and vending firms will be expected to promote healthier snacks and drinks like water, milk, fruit and yoghurt drinks.

From September 2008, primary schools will be required to abide by nutrient-based standards which set out the essential vitamins and minerals children should receive.

Secondary schools will follow a year later. The Government has announced millions of pounds for rebuilding school kitchens and plans to give 11 to 14-year-olds practical lessons in cooking healthy food.

Christina McAnea, head of education services at Unison, said: "We have long been campaigning for better school meals for the nation's children. A healthier diet will increase their ability to concentrate and learn and will ensure the long-term health of the population.

"It is well proven that what a child eats affects performance in class. Decent meals give our children a better start in life, help them to concentrate better in class and have a positive benefit on the health of the nation."

The Transport and General Workers' Union, which represents many catering workers who work in schools, welcomed the Government's announcement.

"We want to see a nutritionally healthy diet for children and to make school meals an attractive option," said national officer Peter Allenson.

"We also welcome the Government's recognition that providing higher standards impacts on staff. But that means Government, local authorities and schools must make sure that the amount per meal properly takes into account the provision of decently equipped kitchens to ensure fresh food can be prepared and properly trained kitchen staff who can take advantage of ongoing training."