A ban on serving ham and cheese sandwiches in school canteens sparked outrage last weekend.
And now education officials in another state have called for fairy bread, another Australian classic that should also be canned.
The South Australia Education Department says sprinkles should not be provided or supplied in the state’s public schools, according to their Right Bite healthy eating and drinking guidelines.
The South Australian government has said the guidelines are just that: guidelines, not a ban.
The state government added that the guidelines do not apply to what parents put in their children’s lunch boxes at school.
The news comes after Western Australia banned ham and cheese sandwiches from public schools in a bid to reduce the amount of processed meat, which can lead to a higher risk factor for developing bowel cancer.
South Australia has demonized its childhood favorite food and placed it on the red list. It is not only banned in schools, but also at sports carnivals and after-school care (photo of girl enjoying fairy bread)
Critics have labeled the latest ban as ‘over the top’.
Dietitian Mattea Palombo from Adelaide told the story The advertiser removing sweets gave the wrong impression to children.
“We are sending a message to children and also to parents that restrictions need to be imposed, which puts foods in a hierarchy and only makes children want these foods more,” she said.
Ms Palombo said the classic Australian festive treat is a “happy” dish linked to joyful childhood memories.
The nutritionist agreed that it may not provide the same nutritional value as fruits and vegetables, but believed it should not be banned if it is part of a healthy diet.
Jenice Zerna, president of the South Australian Association of School Parent Communities, was devastated when she heard about the fairy bread ban and suggested she would rather give her granddaughter the sweet treat than a packet of crisps.
“And for some parents, something like fairy bread may be the only thing that is cost-effective that they can afford to supply for that party or fundraiser,” she said.
Ms. Zerna agreed that there should be healthy guidelines, but sees no harm in bringing them to the school on special occasions, such as parties.
Schoolchildren in South Australia (pictured) no longer have access to their beloved fairy bread from the canteen or at class parties or rewards
Fairy bread is just one of many items that the Right Bite guidelines say should not be available in South Australian schools.
Cakes, slices and muffins are also frowned upon.
Food is divided into four categories: green for the best options, orange for those that need to be chosen carefully and red 1 for items that can only be eaten twice per term in the ‘smallest portion available’.
Red 2 is for items that can never be sold or delivered on any occasion.
The strict guidelines were updated last June and do not only apply to canteens at primary and secondary schools.
They are also applicable for fundraising events and sports carnivals, excursions, camps, after-school care (OSHC) and classroom rewards and incentives.
Other red 2 items include hot chips, fried foods, sugary ice blocks and sweets, including chocolate alternative carob.
Cakes, sausage rolls and pasties and favorite spreads such as honey and jam are on the red 1 list and may only be sold or offered at special school events twice per school year.
The green list includes bread, canned fish, low-fat regular milk and cottage cheese.
The guidelines say that green-listed foods should make up 60 percent of what is available for sale in school canteens.
South Australian Education Minister Blair Boyer said the guidelines were developed to teach young children about healthy eating.
“Preventive education is always the best way to teach healthy eating habits, and the Right Bite resource is designed as a practical strategy to help schools,” he said.
Health crusader Dr. James Muecke, the 2020 Australian of the Year, said the guidelines were based on outdated information.
Mr Muecke believed it did not go far enough to stop obesity and type 2 diabetes, and said there should be a program warning schoolchildren about the dangers of red foods.
The magical children’s food is nostalgic and many believe there is nothing wrong with enjoying a treat on special occasions, such as school functions and birthday parties.