A pioneering scheme to replace fry-ups and stodgy puddings with healthier options has been rejected by pupils and led to a big fall in the number of children having school meals, according to a report in The Times.

The most startling evidence of the unpopularity of healthy menus comes from Hull. Its revolutionary school meals policy was launched in February by the schools minister Stephen Twigg. There were cutbacks on old standards such as hot dogs, fish fingers and meatballs and the council’s own caterers devised a meal plan including savoury cheese wedge, salad, turkey curry and chicken risotto. Out went dessert options such as Wellington fudge and Bakewell tart and in came apple sponge and peaches.

However, four weeks after the introduction of the healthier menus in 79 primary and nursery schools, the number of children on school meals fell by nearly a quarter.

Ministers in London are awaiting the results of a fresh Food Standards Agency study on the impact of nutritional guidelines for school meals.

Meanwhile the Scottish Executive has issued a challenge to Westminster by imposing even tighter nutritional rules. It restricts the amount of cheese, garlic bread, roast potatoes, sausages, fizzy drinks and crisps, while requiring more rice pasta and fish. Menus must be devised to include enough vitamins, minerals, fibre and iron.

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