The report, called Georgie, Porgie, Pudding and Pie: Exposing the Truth about Nursery Food, was researched by organic food company Organix and campaign group The Soil Association. A survey of 1,772 parents and 487 nursery employees found that children are often given unhealthy food such as chocolate, chips and cake, and that some nurseries served food to children under three containing additives banned for that age group. The report also claimed that some nurseries spend just 25p per child per day on food.
But Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association, said the majority of nurseries worked hard to plan tasty, healthy menus. "Many have a policy that fruit is served at snack times rather than biscuits," she said. "The suggestion that nurseries spend a ‘pitiful’ 25 pence on food per day for a child does not reflect our experience, and we, along with nurseries, would question the accuracy of this calculation."
The Soil Association and Organix are campaigning for clear nutritional standards for all nurseries. Tanuku said NDNA was already running a healthy body happy me cdampaign which helps nurseries ensure that children have the energy for play, learning and fun through nutritious menus and fun activities.
The Organix report follows a report from East Sussex County Council earlier this year, Nippers Nutrition, which found that nurseries were offering children too little fat.
