"This generation of kids will not only die at an earlier age, many will die before their parents and from illnesses associated with old age. Despite the enormous amounts of money we put into our health system, we are seeing increased disease rates in children and seeing diseases that would normally not manifest until a person was in their 50s or 60s: cancer, chronic digestive problems, depression, suicide, even cardiovascular disease. Rates of ADHD and autism are also increasing. Twenty five percent of adolescents are overweight or obese and this percentage, and their degree of obesity, is growing. “ Dr Peter Dingle, Murdoch University          Schools and school canteens have a large role to play in establishing healthy habits for our kids. Some children buy lunch and snacks at school every day, whilst others may only use the school canteen option as an occasional treat. Regardless of how often kids actually use the school canteens, a schools attitude toward food is a powerful influence on children.   In the classroom the teachers are doing their best to promote better nutrition and eating habits in our children, yet in many cases these efforts are being powerfully undermined by the foods offered to kids as they step out of the classroom and into the playground. School canteens need to provide nutritious foods and reinforce education about nutrition.  If children are taught about healthy eating but can buy crisps and sweets and soft drinks at the canteen, we are giving mixed messages.   One of the first and easiest steps a school can make is to introduce a low additive policy. This means that the school does not sell any products which contain food additives which are known to be bad for children. Food additives which are known to cause health and behavioural problems in children, or which are banned as unsafe overseas, have no place in our school canteens. Allowing foods which contain these additives to be sold to kids at school is not helping any child to concentrate or succeed at school, in either an academic or social setting.   The advice from canteens all over Australia which have made significant changes is that its not that hard, it does work and the canteens do still make money, in some cases even increasing profit!! The main thing though is to take it one step at a time and start with simple changes like the following: Stock only bread products which do not contain 282 or other proprionate preservatives.  Offer butter and margarine, and make sure that the margarine does not contain colours, preservatives and antioxidants which are linked to problems.  Do not stock any drinks which contain benzoate preservatives. Stock water, and 100% juices instead.   PARENTS SUPPORT   It is often very difficult for school canteen managers and staff to implement changes. What is for sale in the tuckshop has always been a political minefield and it is always true that not everyone is always happy, no matter how the canteen is run or what is for sale.   The best advice we have come across from successful canteen models is that success and parental support starts with education. Parents need to understand why products are or are not for sale.   Some simple ways to kick start this process are: Organise a talk at your school for parents and teachers so they can learn about the problems food additives are causing kids.  Organise an Additive Alert Fundraiser for your school  Use the Products We Love facility on this site to find better products for your canteen.   For more information about and some examples of schools which have gone low additives around the world have a look at this page from the Food Intolerance Network website