❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Education regarding dietary guidelines in school canteens, specifically concerning the autonomy of canteens and the Department of Education's engagement with canteen operators. The Minister's response clarifies that no foods are banned and highlights collaboration with the Western Australian School Canteen Association.
AnsweredQoN 24Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOL CANTEENS —
DIETARY GUIDELINES
24. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I refer to statements made by the
Minister for Health on 14 February 2024 in the Legislative Assembly in relation
to recent changes to the Department of Health's ''WA School Food
and Drink Criteria'' and the Department of Education's ''Student
Health in Public Schools Procedures''.
(1) Is every WA
school canteen able to sell whatever food they like as the Minister for Health
claimed when she said, ''Every canteen will make its own decision about
what is appropriate for its school''?
(2) Are the
department policies merely guidelines that can be disregarded by school
canteens in favour of ''common sense'' as the Minister for Health
claims?
(3) Has the Department of Education engaged directly
with school canteen operators, in most cases P&C bodies, on the
application of the new guidelines?
(4) If yes to (3), please table such communications.
DIETARY GUIDELINES
24. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Education:
I refer to statements made by the
Minister for Health on 14 February 2024 in the Legislative Assembly in relation
to recent changes to the Department of Health's ''WA School Food
and Drink Criteria'' and the Department of Education's ''Student
Health in Public Schools Procedures''.
(1) Is every WA
school canteen able to sell whatever food they like as the Minister for Health
claimed when she said, ''Every canteen will make its own decision about
what is appropriate for its school''?
(2) Are the
department policies merely guidelines that can be disregarded by school
canteens in favour of ''common sense'' as the Minister for Health
claims?
(3) Has the Department of Education engaged directly
with school canteen operators, in most cases P&C bodies, on the
application of the new guidelines?
(4) If yes to (3), please table such communications.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) No
foods, including ham, have been banned from school canteens. Schools make
sensible decisions about what they sell in
their canteens. They understand the importance of healthy eating, while also
providing the food that young people
will enjoy. This is reflected in the Department of Education's student
health policy, which sets the parameters that schools must follow when
setting their canteen menus. The perspectives of canteen operators are very
important; hence the department has met with the Western Australian School
Canteen Association on multiple occasions to ensure the policy is informed by
their views.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) No
foods, including ham, have been banned from school canteens. Schools make
sensible decisions about what they sell in
their canteens. They understand the importance of healthy eating, while also
providing the food that young people
will enjoy. This is reflected in the Department of Education's student
health policy, which sets the parameters that schools must follow when
setting their canteen menus. The perspectives of canteen operators are very
important; hence the department has met with the Western Australian School
Canteen Association on multiple occasions to ensure the policy is informed by
their views.
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