THE Irish Heart Foundation strongly refutes the claim by the Snack Food Council of Ireland (Letters, March 4) that only an estimated 50 schools and third-level colleges stock savoury snack foods in vending machines.

YOUR report headlined ‘Fitzgerald wants crisps and fizzy drinks hospital ban’ (February 25) purports to outline Fine Gael policy in relation to vending machines in Irish hospitals and schools and quotes a statement by Senator Frances Fitzgerald.

CASH-STRAPPED secondary schools are exploiting their own pupils by installing machines stuffed with fatty snacks in order to help fund teaching, a TD yesterday warned.

YOUNGSTERS are still getting a diet high in junk food and low in nutrients despite moves by snack manufacturers to make their products healthier, nutrition experts said last night.