Target nutrient specifications for Scotland

In 2003, nutrient standards for school lunches were launched in Scotland as part of the Scottish Executive's Hungry for Success: A whole School Approach to School Meals. These nutrient standards provide figures for the recommended energy and nutrient content of an average school lunch provided for children in school over a period of one week.

To support caterers to achieve the nutrient standards for school lunches, the Food Standards Agency Scotland (FSAS) took on the development of target nutrient specifications for manufactured products used in school meals. Target maximum values for total fat, saturated fat, sodium and total sugar and minimum protein specification were published in May 2004.

It was always the intention to periodically review the specifications and publish any changes. In July 2005, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a UK wide public consultation on target nutrient specifications for manufactured products used in school meals throughout the UK.

The target nutrient specifications for manufactured foods used in school meals in Scotland have now been revised to reflect these new UK-wide figures. Their use is voluntary, and they will be reviewed again by the Agency, in consultation with stakeholders, in 2008.

The target nutrient specifications for manufactured foods are to be continued to be used by procurers and caterers of school meals as a guide to assist in meeting the nutrient standards for school lunches.

Broad product categories have been set to cover the majority of manufactured products in use, but products not covered are not excluded from school meals simply by absence of target nutrient specifications. It is the achievement of the nutrient standards that is the most important criteria in improving the standard of school lunches.

Amendment to target nutrient specification for chips/roast potatoes made on website 3 October 2006 – due to technical factors in the manufacture of these products in the UK.