Fairtrade And Health Promoting School

21st May 2011

Highland Council and NHS Highland take lead on Fairtrade and Health Promoting Schools guidance

Guidance on the sale of Fairtrade food items in Highlands Schools has been endorsed by members of the Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

The sale or provision of Fairtrade chocolate as part of pupil education about global trade was one of the drivers in the production of the guidance. The key reason for the production of the guidance was to allow the restricted provision of 'non compliant' Fairtrade foods into schools without undermining their status as health promoting establishments.

The guidance has been produced to support schools and The Highland Council in the implementation of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2001 and The Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture andf Sport Committee said: "The issue of making chocolate available in our schools without impacting negatively on health promotion was one that was raised by a number of schools locally and nationally. The Highland guidance document has been created in partnership through consultation with pupils, teachers, parents, the Fairtrade Foundation and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education."

The guidance advises schools that the provision of non-compliant food or drinks such as chocolate, confectionary, most crisps and some soft drinks should only be made available as part of Fairtrade educational activities no more than twice a school term.

Copies of "Fairtrade and Health Promoting Schools - Guidance from NHS Highlands and Highland Council" will be made available to all professionals involved in promoting health and wellbeing and will be available on the council's website at: www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/childrensservices/healthyliving/