Tuesday, 04 March 2025 08:46 GMT

Re “Free school meals improve children's diets", by Dr Aimee Eckert, published on 14 January 2025

Dear Editor,

I welcome your article highlighting that the Universal Infant Free School Meal policy can improve diets, particularly for children from lower-income backgrounds.

However, it is critical to acknowledge the complexities of implementing such policies. Food corporations whose ultimate incentive is generating profits for their shareholders, sometimes at the expense of public health, can adapt quickly to policies that might impact their profits.

One such adaptation could be to co-opt such initiatives under the guise of charity, providing funding, resources, and branded products that still contain ultra-processed foods. The involvement of major food industry players in breakfast clubs, for example, raises concerns about the intent of the meals being served.

A more sustainable solution lies in better funding for schools, allowing them to invest in healthier catering services, install proper kitchen facilities, hire chefs, and afford high-quality produce. Schools operate under severe financial constraints, and without adequate support, they may be forced to rely on industry partnerships that prioritise profit over health.

Overall, while Universal Infant Free School Meal is a step in the right direction, policymakers must ensure that meals provided are truly nutritious and minimally processed. Increased investment in school food infrastructure is key to achieving this goal.

Dr Yanaina Chavez-Ugalde

Centre for Food Policy, City St George's, University of London

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