Members of European Parliament have backed the Commission's proposals to merge two school schemes to boast the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables amongst kids as well as increase milk intake. 

However, what the new rules means is that the current School Fruit Scheme (SFS) is effectively being scrapped and replaced with a model that combines teaching children healthy eating habits of eating fruit and vegetables alongside the importance of drinking milk.

Previously, a number of organizations were opposed to merging the two schemes and instead would have liked to see each scheme continue to operate separately with more funding allocated by the EU.

In an interview with www.freshfruitportal.com in March, Freshfel's director of nutrition, health and promotion, Raquel Izquierdo de Santiago, said killing off the European SFS or changing the way it is run would be 'short sighted' and lead to complications because of the 'mixed messages' that will come out of merging the SFS with the school milk scheme (SMS).

But on Wednesday (May 27) European Parliament endorsed plans to merge the two schemes within Member States and extend education measures.

"A healthy and balanced diet is the foundation of good health. Yet consumption of fruit, vegetables and milk has been declining across the EU, with many negative consequences for Europeans," says MEP for the Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Marc Tarabella.

"The new rules aim to ensure that more is done in our schools, not only to give our children healthy foodstuffs, but to educate them better about healthy eating habits."

MEPs also amended the draft rules to add milk products with proven health benefits for kids such as cheese, curd, yoghurt to the list of foodstuffs eligible for EU funding.

They also require Member States to earmark between 10-20% to promote educational activities to fight food waste and support healthy habits such as visiting local farms and learning where produce comes from.

In addition, MEPs called for an allocation of additional funding worth €20 million (US$21.7 million) a year for milk measures bringing annual funding up to €100 million (US$108.8 million) and up to €150 million (US$163 million) for fruit and vegetables.

Parliament approved the amendments to the draft regulation and mandate for negotiations with EU ministers by 458 votes to 97, with 28 abstentions.

Once the Council of Ministers approves its negotiating position, Parliament, the Council and the European Commission should start talks on the final shape of new legislation.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com