Welsh Council claims schoolchildren prefer ultra-processed food
The Welsh council said that nearly one quarter of children were not accepting their free school meal. Canteens being noisier was another reason cited as to why pupils may be refusing free school meals.
Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby told BBC News: "There is hypothesis in some areas, it is deeply worrying and it is shared across Wales and being fed back by all local authorities.
"Those from households that have a high dependency on ultra-processed foods, the take up of what is basically a home cooked, nutritionally good to an all-Wales standard meal of low salt and sugar content, is not acceptable to the taste buds of certain children who do not want the meals.”
She also claimed the Welsh Government’s rule on equal portion sizes for everyone (from four to 11-year-olds) was causing more food waste as the younger ones were struggling to eat as much as the older children.
A Government spokesperson said: "Our regulations and guidance set out the type of food and drink which should be provided to ensure children and young people have a healthy balanced diet while encouraging them to develop good eating habits."