Tayside schools to take fruit juice off the menu
Fruit juice will be removed from the menu in Tayside schools from the 31st March, it has been confirmed.
Tayside Contracts has made the decision in partnership with local councils to try and reduce sugar intake among children. Head teachers of schools in the area have been sent a memo, which details the reasons why juices will be taken off the menu in the coming weeks. Health and Nutrition Inspections, which form part of general school inspections, often highlight excessive sugar consumption, and the availability of fruit juice at lunch times is contributing to this problem, Tayside Contracts claims.
Many people think of fruit juice as a healthy alternative to fizzy drinks, but the reality is that many juices contain a lot of sugar. They also have a low pH value, which increases the risk of enamel erosion and cavities.
The company claims that removing fruit juice from school menus represents a positive step forward in providing children with nutritious, balanced meals.
The move has been backed wholeheartedly by Fiona Mathieson, from the Dental Plus Surgery in Newport. Fiona said that changing attitudes will make such a difference in the future, and she added that she was “ecstatic” to see sugary, acidic juices banished from the school dining hall. She recommends water, milk, and milky tea as alternatives.
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