Jamie's packed lunch storm

September 08, 2006

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CHEF Jamie Oliver has lashed out at parents over the food they give children.

He said 70 per cent of packed lunches in Britain were "disgraceful" and called for them to be banned.

Oliver said head teachers were too frightened to tell parents what they should be giving their child to bring to school.

The celebrity chef criticises parents in his new TV series, Jamie's Return To School Dinners, the follow-up to his successful Channel 4 programmes on improving school meals.

In the show, Oliver says: "Now is the time to say `if you're giving your young children fizzy drinks, you're an a*******, you're a t******.

"If you give them bags of crisps, you're an idiot. If parents truly care, they've got to take control."

Oliver said after the screening of the new programme: "I have seen kids of the ages of four or five open their lunch box and inside is a cold, half-eaten McDonald's, multiple packets of crisps and a can of Red Bull."

He added: "Packed lunches are a problem. Most of them aren't appropriate."

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Ace Riley, manchester (08/09/2006 at 12:11)

At last we have somebody who speaks the truth to these parents and who isnr scared to tell them that the ""Food"" they are giving their child is garbage and may be doing the child harm.We have to re educate people about the food we give our kids and get awawy from fast food fixes that dosnt do the children any favours

Kate, Manchester (08/09/2006 at 12:55)

It's not just parents who should be targeted - the media should also play a part in this - when was the last time you saw a fat bint advertising Walkers - or greasy overweight teens munching on a MacD's appearing on the tea-time TV slot. More has to be made out of the "healthy option" not just some snide southern chef passing comments about parents - but to teach kids they're not being deprived by eating fruit.

Rachel, Manchester (08/09/2006 at 13:42)

Why does this man think he is some hero!!

peter jones, Hannover.Germany (08/09/2006 at 14:08)

Jamie Oliver is right!There are
Parents who can't even cook for their Children.They cannot even look after themselves!
Bloody hopeless most of these
younger Mothers!and yes i can cook.I was a cook for 15 years.

PW, Manchester (08/09/2006 at 14:30)

Rachel, I don't think he is a hero, and neither is he trying to be. His whole life has revolved around food and cooking. He's studied his subject, and wants others to benefit from his knowledge because he's well-known, and better-placed than you or I. Good for him. Pie and chips isn't poisonous for you, but it can be when eaten every day of the week. That's the point about food education.

PW, Manchester (08/09/2006 at 14:35)

Kate. Calling pavement-blockers "fat bints" isn't very PC you know!

Ace Riley, manchester (08/09/2006 at 15:14)

Just because the media say something you dont have to go along with things "Its you as a parent have the power to say no to bad food for your kids"The media says that sugar is bad for your teeth but parents still buy sweets for their kids??So really you cannot keep blaming others for your choices.

Ace Riley, manchester (08/09/2006 at 15:24)

Rachel, Manchester Its why people like yourself with this negative point of view why we have so many kids that eat junk "I dont care if jamie is seen as a hero or not "If hes good enough to point out that kids are being fed junk hes ok in my books .Somebody has to tell these bad parents where they are going wrong "Because the government wont"

Angie, Singapore (08/09/2006 at 15:41)

Perhaps Home Economics with emphasis on nutritions - and basics of cooking of course - should be introduced to schools so that youngling's know about the importance of decent meals? If not for themselves, for their sprogs?

Ace Riley, manchester (08/09/2006 at 16:48)

Angie, Singapore. We have problems educating our kids never mind teaching them home economics? A lot of kids leave school who cannot read and write "That is where our education is at the moment" So what chance have we of teaching these kids anything ????????

John M, Rusholme (08/09/2006 at 17:39)

Gary Lineker meets Jamie Oliver could be an interesting one methinks! I wonder what Jamie ate when he was at school, I bet he ate crisps!
Seriously I am with him, kids are eating too much junk and processed food but if he has a way of convincing them and their parents to change then I'll back him.
Although I can't bear to watch or listen to his TV programmes, he is the most effective force for change we have right now in Britain. I don't know whether you all caught up with the comment of the original Greenwich dinner lady whose meals budget is 20k in deficit now all the vending machine revenue has gone, and the government money has added 2k! Jamie, you're on the right tack but delivery is in need of improvement!

colin howard, buriram thailand (09/09/2006 at 00:54)

steady on ace riley your,re going to have to stop calling it as it realy is cos we both know it ain,t PC to tell the truth about certain subjects,race and immigration being top of the pile.

ex mancunian, sydney (09/09/2006 at 06:20)

Who is this person Ace Riley?
Is he/she a Manchester Online 'plant' to stimulate discussion or someone who has an opinion about everything but says nothing?
If 'it' is a plant the only thing that it seems to stimulate is boredom.
Can we have less of his/her stinging insights.

karen, london (09/09/2006 at 14:41)

thanks jamie at last those children that dont get a decent meal at home will now get one at school, i have just view the menus you have set up in london schools and im very impressed and please that it took one man a parent yourself to stand up for our kids health and future that makes you a hero doesnt it!!!

A mum, Stockport (09/09/2006 at 23:15)

My children both take pack lunches, each have at least one piece of fruit or a fresh fruit salad, a sandwich and sometimes a yoguart with a drink of water or fresh fruit juice, it costs less per day than school dinners. I'd rather they ate that everyday than pizza & chips and cake & custard that is served at the school!!

peter jones, Hannover.Germany (10/09/2006 at 07:30)

Come on all you Ace riley Knockers.What he writes is the Truth.We all know that the truth hurts.We have a free Press.The finest in the world.

Jemma, Manchester (11/09/2006 at 14:09)

What is wrong with a small packet of crisps in there packed lunch?

danielle anderson, Manchester, lancashire (11/09/2006 at 21:18)

I am a 26 year old mother. My four year old daughter started school last week and her father and I decided to let her try school dinners so she could make her mind up about whether she wanted to continue or take a packed lunch. At the end of the week, she asked me if she could take a packed lunch as the school dinner wasn't nice and it didn't fill her up. Previously she attended a private day nursery and I cannot fault the meals that were provided. Freshly cooked on the premises, with a range of foods from many different cultures which my daughter enjoyed. She complained during her first week at school that there wasn't anything nice and all she liked was the pizza. I must admit I have a child who ate almost anything you gave her from being a baby, but I do empathize with those parents whose children are very fussy about what they eat. I feel Jamie Oliver is doing the best he can so our children grow up to be brainy, active and healthy adults. Eating starts within the home and if it starts with processed foods with no veg or salad then of course they are not going to want to try it/or say they don't like it when they get to school or go out to eat. Eating healthily should be fun, my daughter loves her chocolate bread (brown bread), mini trees (broccoli) and of course the 'make you see in the dark' carrots. We went shopping for her packed lunch today and she chose, a range of fruit (strawberries, grapes) cheese, ham and cucumber for her sandwiches, pasta salad and raisins. I think Jamie should be praised rather than criticized, it doesn't have to take ages to prepare your child a healthy cooked meal, I am a midwife who works shifts and still find the time to prepare a freshly cooked meal everyday. A simple dish for example; new potatoes with cod or chicken with a side salad or stir fry takes less than 40 mins to prepare and cook. I think some parents should try it!! And the uneducated people who think that crisps, fizzy drinks and chocolate are ok to give to their children....well we'll be seeing you on the recently shown television programme; 'you are what you eat'

michelle, manchester (14/09/2006 at 01:28)

I cannot believe what im reading here! My daughter has a packed lunch for school, i give her diffrent every day, she doesnt really like bread that much but i try to stay positive and put things in she does like , like tuna and sweetcoen mixed, some cucumber, a piece of fruit and yes maybe a pack of crisps and a cake! This is only there lunch we r talking about!!! what do they normally eat at home? a sandwich? exactly! Thay get a proper Dinner at tea-time. Jamie oliver is turning school dinners a nightmare already with his little pasta dishes which kids hate without banning packed lunchs!! there is nothing wrong with a sarnie and packet of crisps for lunch!

Gemma Noon, Lincoln (19/09/2006 at 11:15)

I cannot belive what i have read, my son is autistic and has a food intoralnce he won't eat any vegetables only healthy food he eats is grapes and apples yet when i ask for advice to get him eating more of a balanced diet all i get is he's autistic food intoralance is common, any different food placed near him he goes frantic and placed in his mouth he borks and sometimes vomits, if you ask me health proffesionals need to listen to parents who have special needs children.

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