6 February 2009

Media Release:

Brain-dead food and drink set for a comeback in schools
 

Education Minister Anne Tolley’s decision to remove the requirement for schools to provide only healthy food options for sale on their premises (aside from occasional fundraisers) is a stride backwards in education.

Despite her claim there has been “confusion” about the requirements there has been no significant pressure to lift this obligation from schools.

It is a victory for the fast-food lobbyists who vigorously resist high-fat, high-sugar products being associated with poor health and obesity.

It’s all very well for Tolley to say boards of trustees should be able to make their own decisions about appropriate food and drink options. The problem is that healthier food options are more expensive and it’s already an uphill battle for schools in low-income communities. It’s no surprise fast-food outlets are most heavily concentrated in low-income communities.  

Adding to the problem is $124 million spent each year advertising sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks and fast-foods compared to a paltry $6.2 million on advertising fruit and vegetables.  

Tolley has made a Remuera decision for an Otara problem.

Two years ago QPEC called on the government to implement three simpler but effective steps to improve student learning and fight the obesity epidemic. They remain as important today:

·        Remove GST on fresh fruit and vegetables.

·        Ban the advertising of fast-foods and fizzy drink on television before 8.30pm

·        Introduce a 10% health tax on fast-foods.

The first would significantly reduce the cost of fruit and vegetables for families and make them a more accessible choice for those who need it most while the other steps would start to put legitimate and reasonable restrictions on the activities of the fast-food chains which are the main drivers of the obesity epidemic.

Tolley is adding significantly to this problem by sending all the wrong messages to schools, parents and children.

ends

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