Quarter of school children refuse fruit and vegetables

A study by the School Food Trust (SFT) has found that despite a jump in the number of pupils taking servings of vegetables and salad since

2005, 26 per cent are still turning them down.

The national study examined what food was chosen and eaten by almost 6,700 children at 136 primary schools in England, six months after the introduction of new mandatory nutritional standards in September 2008.

It reveals that 74 per cent of youngsters are choosing servings of vegetables or salad or both with their lunch, compared with 59 per cent in 2005.

But a large proportion of this is going to waste, with 40.7 per cent of vegetables and 32.6 per cent of salad left uneaten

Much fewer are taking fruit – just over 20 per cent are choosing this option, compared with around 15 per cent in 2005.

Children are choosing fewer starchy foods cooked in fat, such as savoury snacks.

The findings show that more than a third (35 per cent) of primary school children are eating at least two portions of fruit and vegetables on any given day, while over half are eating one and a half portions.

Under new legislation every pupil should get two of their "five a day" from their school lunch.

The survey reveals that on average school lunches now include less energy and iron than in 2005. This may be partly to do with smaller portion sizes, the study suggests.

But all schools were offering pupils water with their lunch, and the levels of salt, fat and sugar in the average meal had fallen.