Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the School Food Standards permits school to sell (a) doughnuts, (b) waffles and (c) cookies to pupils.

The school food standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar. The standards apply to the overall planned provision of food and drink in schools, including during school lunches and food provided by the school at other times.

Governing boards are legally responsible for meeting the school food standards and it is for schools and caterers to decide which foods to serve across the school week. Desserts are permitted when served during the school lunch service and the types of products mentioned in this question are only permitted by the standards under restricted circumstances: for example, confectionery is prohibited, and only healthy snacks, such as fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts can be provided for food other than lunch.

As part of our work on the Childhood Obesity Plan, we have committed to reducing sugar in the school food standards and officials are working with Public Health England to achieve this. Further details will be available shortly.