Caroline Flint MP said: "It is a very popular scheme, but someevaluation shows children are eating less fruit as they say they get itat school so they won't eat it at home as well."
A Department of Health spokeswoman denied the findings had implicationsfor the future of the scheme, which ensures four- to six-year-olds inmaintained and special schools get a free piece of fruit or vegetableeach school day. "The issue is encouraging parents to make sure childreneat fruit and vegetables outside school," she said.
Flint made the comments at a Labour Party consultation event on thefuture of public health policy.
Neera Sharma, principal policy officer at Barnardo's, said: "Schoolsreally need to work with parents and explain what the scheme'sabout."
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