Rules on food testing in schools may change

The Department of Education may revise the guidelines for primary schools involved in commercial schemes before the new school year in September, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin told the Dáil.

Questioned about the controversy surrounding the testing of food products by primary school children, Ms Hanafin said she was surprised that food was being tested in schools. "I do not approve of it and it is unnecessary." She pointed out that food companies had plenty of opportunities to test their products in supermarkets.

Detailed discussions had been held with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) before the controversy about the need to consider guidelines for schools, especially for commercial schemes. "We do not wish schools to feel under pressure to participate in such a scheme. In working with the INTO, we indicated we may revise the guidelines before the next school year."

The use of commercial schemes was a matter for the boards of management. "Nonetheless, I believe that boards should be wary of getting involved in such activities, particularly given that each child has different dietary requirements," she said.

The department had contacted the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), which conducted the tests in the schools, and was assured that in any future such testing parents' written approval would be sought.

Paul Gogarty (Green Party, Dublin Mid-West), who said advertising in schools was endemic, believed that "this laissez-faire approach is allowing our children to be abused. We have heard of child sexual abuse and other emotional abuse and this is commercial abuse."

But Ms Hanafin took exception to his remarks and said that "it does a grave disservice to those who have been sexually abused to compare it to commercial abuse. I am appalled to hear Deputy Gogarty make the comparison."

Mr Gogarty replied: "It is not on the same scale, but it is abuse nonetheless."