No powers to force healthy vending machine options at schools

THE Department of Education has said its powerless to force schools to provide healthy alternatives in vending machines despite a report on obesity recommending a clear code of practice be drawn up.

Research commissioned by the Irish Heart Foundation found at second level just over a third (36%) of schools had healthy eating policies but 92% agreed there should be a code of practice on the provision and content of vending machines.

The report of the National Task Force on Obesity, published in 2009, stated that: “A clear code of practice in relation to the provision and content of vending machines in post-primary schools should be developed by industry, the department of Education and Science and schools’ representative bodies.”