17 Sep 2009

Petition calls for only healthy foods in schools

4:15 pm on 17 September 2009

A petition has been presented to Parliament calling on the Government to reinstate rules that require schools to sell only healthy foods.

The Green Party organised the petition after the Government threw out guidelines that stopped schools selling food such as sausage rolls, pies and doughnuts.

The Greens say the 16,000-signature petition shows many New Zealanders want schools to sell healthy food only. Health spokesperson Sue Kedgley says the petition shows the Government is out of step on the issue.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says decisions about what food to sell are better left to parents and school boards, and there are signs that school tuckshops are improving what they offer.