NFU defends ‘whole milk’

The NFU has written to the Dfes (Department of Education and Skills) to protest at the decision by the School Meals Review Panel to remove whole milk from the list of foods to be offered to schoolchildren.

In his letter, Gwyn Jones, Chairman of the Dairy Board, points out that whole milk is a staple food, which at 3.5% has a low fat content and is naturally full of nutrients. Mr. Jones said:

“The NFU board is surprised and disappointed that whole milk has been bracketed with a range of junk foods, a classification that sends entirely the wrong message to parents and teachers.”

“In fact, for children who are undernourished, suffering from malnutrition or arrive at school unfed and hungry (one in three children) the decision is unwise. Ultimately, whether children should be offered whole milk at school should be a matter for parental choice.”

The NFU also expressed concern about the future of dairy products in schools after 2008. Although milk and yoghurt drinks are likely to remain on the list of approved products other dairy products would seem to fall off the list of specific food groupings from 2008 onwards. The NFU has requested a meeting with Dfes to clarify this issue.