Primary School Meals Report 2019

Our new analysis of primary school menus, that were available on the local authorities’ websites in summer 2019, shows that the menus were better in 2019 than in 2017 when we first conducted this analysis.

Compared to 2017, in 2019 primary school menus:

• listed less processed red meats and puddings
• had increased offering of yoghurt and fruit as a pudding option
• offered fish more frequently

Additionally, councils that provided nutrition information appeared to have reduced sugar content in puddings. This is a good progress likely to result in children’s better health and wellbeing. It also brings school meals closer to the Scottish Dietary Goals.

However, there is still room for improvement. While some local authorities did very well, others can still learn from them. More authorities could offer soup and oily fish. Pizza, chips and puddings could be served less frequently, and nutrition information could be made available in more areas (only 7 local authorities offered this information). The good examples included in the report demonstrate this is possible.

We are calling for continued improvements around the four recommendations we published in 2017:

• Use unprocessed or minimally processed foods wherever possible
• Prioritise vegetables, soup and salads over puddings
• Reduce free sugar content in school meals towards those of the new Scottish Dietary Goals
• Create a positive physical and social environment for school meals