Labour has been warned it could face a revolt from schoolchildren over a ban on classic British favourites from school meals.
Speaking to GB News, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs Christopher Snowdon predicted: “The kids aren’t going to put up with this!”
It was announced today that schools across England will be banned from serving fish and chips and other classics in favour of lentils and chickpeas every week under sweeping new food rules.
Deep-fried dishes and ice cream will be eliminated from school kitchens, while breakfast favourites such as fried eggs, pastries, chocolate spread, and high-sugar cereals will also be restricted.
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Cakes and other desserts will be limited to once a week in primary schools and twice a week in secondary schools, and each dessert must include a portion of fruit.
Mr Snowdon launched a scathing attack on the Government’s plans, declaring: “I’m glad I’m not at school. That’s all I can say.
“I think the kids are going to absolutely hate this…. they aren’t going to put up with it,” he warned.
“I’m sure there’ll be an increase in the number of kids bringing in packed lunches.”
The campaigner mocked the rules, questioning exactly what an “unsweetened dessert” would look like.
“I’m not quite sure what an unsweetened dessert is,” he said, adding: “I don’t know if I’ve ever had one.”
Mr Snowdon also took aim at proposed rules for breakfast clubs, which he described as an example of “heavy, heavy micromanagement”.
“Pretty much the only thing they can actually eat is porridge, which has to be plain and unflavored, and they’re not allowed to have any sugar, any honey, any syrups or anything like this, or even artificial sweeteners made available.
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“And that’s just breakfast,” he said.
“I could go on. This is heavy, heavy micromanagement from people who seem to be doing things pretty much off the top of their heads.”
Mr Snowdon argued the rules appeared arbitrary and questioned the scientific basis for some restrictions.
“This goes well beyond making sure kids have got enough calories to get through the day, making sure they’re fed and have a balanced diet. This is pretty extreme stuff, actually.”
The campaigner also challenged the Government’s approach to childhood obesity, arguing that the scale of the problem had been overstated because of the way it is measured among children.
“Actual child obesity is still a pretty rare phenomenon in truth,” he said, while adding that even if it were a more significant problem, it was “not obvious what a lot of this is going to do about it”.
Mr Snowdon pointed out that starchy carbohydrates would remain mandatory on school menus every day.
He argued that there was “not a lot of logical rationale” behind the wider restrictions.
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