News

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has spoken out about the lack of fruit and vegetables being included in school packed lunches, describing it as a “missed opportunity” for children’s health.

The charity believes the fact that 40% of primary school children's lunchboxes do not contain any fruits or vegetables – compared to 10% for school canteen meals – means they are not sufficiently healthy.

It is urging parents to make sure their children's packed lunches always contain at least two portions of fruits and vegetables.

As part of this, WCRF has launched an online game, My Packed Lunch, at http://www.greatgrubclub.com/my-packed-lunch. The aim of the game is to make packed lunches fun for children and the interactive meal planner gives parents and children ideas for foods that are both healthy and tasty.

Kate Mendoza, Head of Education at WCRF, said: "It is disappointing that children are going to school with lunchboxes that are not playing their part in helping to encourage the kind of healthy diet that is so important for their future.

"This is why we want to get across the message to parents that including a piece of fruit or using a portion of salad as a filling for a sandwich are positive things they can do for their children's health.

"It can sometimes be difficult for parents to control what their children eat, particularly if they are passing shops on the way home from school or visiting their friends. But parents can influence what is in their packed lunches and the fact that not all of them are doing so is a missed opportunity."