Half of schools give students junk food

Half of the country’s secondary schools continue to give foods high in fat, sugar and salt to students — despite calls for healthier options.

A survey by the Irish Heart Foundation found 51% of secondary schools continue to offer students unhealthy snacks. The survey of 39 post-primary schools examined the type and range of meals provided and found only 60% offered students free drinking water.

One in four schools had a tuck shop and 47% had vending machines. It found 37% of schools offered full hot meals and 37% offered cold snacks, such as sandwiches.

However, almost 70% of schools offered hot snacks, including sausage rolls, pizza slices and paninis — many of which are high in fat and salt.

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Irish Heart Foundation dietitian Sinead Shanley said the survey showed, despite calls to improve the availability of healthier foods, students continued to be offered junk food at school.

“Instead of enjoying a protected environment, teenage students are faced every day with unhealthy foods, low in nutrition and high in calories,” said Ms Shanley.

She said the issue was not just about obesity — it was also crucial that young people got nutritious foods, food that kept their organs and body systems healthy.

It was already known that one in five of 13 to 17 year olds had diets high in sugar and low in fibre, calcium, iron, folate and vitamin D.

The foundation has called on the Department of Education to produce a healthy eating policy immediately to ensure junk food is not sold in secondary schools and that all schools provide free drinking water.

It added that a fund could be established to help schools buy water coolers and catering equipment.

The foundation is hoping to establish a Healthy Catering Award scheme for schools at the end of the year.

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