School ban on sweets and fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks, chocolate bars, crisps and other unhealthy foods could be banned from schools in future, the Government has finally admitted.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly told the Evening Standard that the new School Food Trust will have the power to recommend bans on particular products as well as set minimum nutrition standards with which schools will have to comply.

Schools which defy the ban will be named and shamed by education watchdog Ofsted. Among the products that may be targeted are Turkey Twizzlers.

Ms Kelly also said the Government wanted food manufacturers voluntarily to agree not to target children with adverts for processed and junk food. Ms Kelly insisted the Government would get tough with the manufacturers if necessary - a clear signal that she believes advertising has a much greater impact than Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell believes.

The poor quality of school food, highlighted by Jamie Oliver, has finally forced the Government to change its stance after years of resisting calls to ban certain products from canteens and school vending machines.

Ms Kelly made clear that, if necessary, fizzy drinks containing large amounts of sugar would no longer be allowed to be sold in school vending machines.

These machines have in recent years become increasingly important sources of income, for many schools, particularly comprehensives.