Analytical Report - National Coordinated Survey of Children’s Meals from Leisure Centres and Tourist Attractions

Kent Trading Standards took part in this national survey of children’s meals from leisure centres and tourist attractions. In the summer of 2007 trading standards officers took samples of children’s meals (aimed at 7-10 year old children) from tourist attractions across the county, including houses & gardens, castles and wildlife parks and sent them to Kent Scientific Services for analysis. Samples were tested for levels of fat, saturated fat, sugar, calories and salt.

The results were then compared with the School Food Trust guidelines that have been used to set national standards for school meals.

The levels of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar of samples taken in Kent were not as excessive as some of the results found in the national survey. Indeed the report indicated that meals from the South East fared better on average in fat, saturated fat, salt and calories than other regions. However the results did confirm that some meals are high in fat and salt, the foods typically referred to as ‘junk food’. Encouragingly many tourist attractions in Kent offered healthier options.

Overall it was found that the meals described as healthy provided less energy than the regular meal and the average content of fat, saturates, sugar and salt among “healthy” meals was lower than that for regular meals. Healthy meals were more likely to consist of ham sandwiches, tuna, jacket potatoes or pasta.

Below are some examples of the results.

 

Amounts per meal	Fat	Saturated Fat	Salt
Sausage Roll chips and beans	42g More then SFT guideline	16g More then SFT guideline	3g More then SFT guideline
Chicken Nuggets chips and peas	16g Less than SFT guideline	1.7g Less than SFT guideline	1.7g More then SFT guideline
Jacket potato with tuna mayonnaise and a yogurt	17g Less than SFT guideline	1.4g Less than SFT guideline	0.6g Less than SFT guideline
Cottage pie with vegetables	10g Less than SFT guideline	5.4g Less than SFT guideline	0.6g Less than SFT guideline

 

SFT = School Food Trust

Many drinks were also found to be high in sugar, in the short term increasing calorie intake and in the longer term having an impact on dental health. Eating foods high in salt and sugar at a young age sets up taste preferences for later in life.

Caterers can make some simple changes to reduce the levels of fat, salt etc. For example, one attraction was holding a toddler event on the day of sampling so had removed salt from the dining tables. Many processed foods contain a lot of salt (75% of the salt we eat is already in the food) so choosing lower salt versions and not supplying salt sachets or salt shakers at the table can reduce overall salt intake. Similarly, choosing lower fat versions of sausages or burgers and grilling rather than frying can reduce total fat.

The portion sizes varied from 157g to 348g. The portion size presuming the whole meal is eaten will affect the nutrient intake from a meal. It is possible to have a larger portion size without causing an excessive level of fats and salt e.g. jacket potatoes with tuna are filling, providing energy without high levels of fat and salt. This also suggests that foods predictably high in fat and salt would be better if served in smaller portion sizes. Alternatively the fattier, saltier component of a meal e.g. burger, sausage could be served as a smaller portion and the meal bulked out with vegetables and starchy food e.g. potatoes, rice, bread.

The findings do have to be put in the context of a child’s whole diet. Eating should be enjoyable and the treat of a burger and chips is part of a fun day at a tourist attraction. However, as a nation we do eat out more frequently and many parents and carers want the option of a healthier choice. We have advised the tourist attractions in Kent where samples were taken of their results and are working with them to improve the nutrition content of the foods and encourage healthier options.

The full national report can be accessed on the Lacors website.