Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007
The Scottish Parliament has passed the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act. The Act:
- places health promotion at the heart of schools' activities
- ensures that food and drink served in schools meets nutritional requirements set out by Scottish Ministers
- ensures local authorities promote the uptake and benefits of school meals and, in particular, free school meals
- reduces the stigma associated with free school meals by requiring local authorities to protect the identity of those eligible for free school meals
- gives local authorities the power to provide pupils with healthy snacks and drinks, either at a cost or free of charge
- requires local authorities to consider sustainable development guidance when they provide food or drink in schools.
The health promotion duties commenced on 3 January and the duties in respect of food and drink and sustainable procurement commence in August 2008.
The Act builds on the good work already under way in schools and councils in respect of health promoting schools, Active Schools and Hungry for Success.
Health promotion guidance is being prepared to extend 'Being Well - Doing Well' and support schools, councils and their partners as they work to embed health promotion in the life of schools.
The Minister for Children and Early Years, Adam Ingram, has taken advice from an expert panel and decided on nutritional requirements for Scottish schools. The draft regulations are to be put to the Scottish Parliament for approval.
For further information visit the Scottish Government website