EU schools told to remove vending machines with unhealthy snacks

Brussels: Europe's schools should think about removing vending machines packed with savoury or sugary snacks and offer fruit and vegetables to students instead, an internal European Commission document said.

In recommendations accompanying plans for an EU-wide scheme to finance handouts of fruit and vegetables, Commission experts suggested that such "competing foods" be taken off school premises to encourage healthy eating habits in schoolchildren.

"The removal of competing foods, in particular in vending machines, in the school environment -savoury and sugary snacks and sweetened drinks - is recommended," the document said.

"In turn, a replacement with vending machines with fruit and vegetables could be recommended," it said. Convenience and processed foods should also be eaten in moderation as they might contain high levels of fat, sugar and salt, it added.

The recommendations do not form part of the Commission's formal plan to create a school fruit scheme but should "be taken into account" by ministers during their negotiations.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel would earmark 90 million euros (Dh513 million) a year in funding for the EU-wide scheme.

One of the main aims is to halt an alarming trend in obesity around the EU, particularly among children. Up to 27 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women in Europe are now regarded as obese.