A NEW software system which measures the nutritional content of school dinners has been introduced by the Department of Education and Children.
The computer software analyses the exact ingredients in each food item on the menu and measures them against standards set by the UK Government.
This means that each meal will meet the minimum standards for the correct amounts of zinc, protein, iron, and vitamins and will not exceed levels of salt, sugar and fat.
Chris Wilson, schools catering manager, said: "I want to give parents the confidence that what we are doing is right and that we can demonstrate it.
"We have always worked towards these standards and we knew we were broadly achieving them in the past but now we can be confident that we are.
"Children love sausages, for example, but they are relatively high in salt so featuring them on menus just once every four weeks means the effects can be watered down. This gives me more opportunity to accommodate other foods that may appeal to them just as much and be better for them."
55 percent of children are eating school meals in the Isle of Man. The School Meals Service encourages children to make healthy food choices, try new foods and form positive eating habits at an early age. A nutritional meal can boost a child's ability to concentrate, learn and perform.
Chris continued: "Healthy food doesn't put children off. The whole school approach is about education. Food is to be enjoyed – it's about balance.
"It's vital children enjoy their food and the whole mealtime experience so we try to stretch the boundaries without putting them off eating. We are lucky that we have huge experience out there with our catering staff who will coax children into trying new things and encourage them rather than frighten them.
"All I'm doing is what you hope people are doing in the home – making sure a child gets a well balanced diet."
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