The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will conclude its work this Parliament in March 2026 ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election. So the Committee has time to complete its work, it has agreed not to consider petitions submitted after 10 October.
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Under consideration PE2173: Ban ultra-processed foods in school meals
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ban the use of ultra-processed food in school meals across Scotland, in order to give our children healthier options.
Background information
The Perth and Kinross Council school menu relies heavily on ultra-processed products, particularly meat substitutes, while claiming to meet government regulations. I therefore believe these regulations need to be reviewed.
My children don’t eat processed meat substitutes, as we do not believe they are beneficial for the environment or for our children’s health and well-being.
There are days when no suitable meal is available for them at all. Even when a vegetarian option is offered, it often relies on highly processed substitutes. There are many nutritious vegetarian dishes that don’t require ultra-processed ingredients.
Unfortunately, many of the meat options on the menu are also heavily processed, raising further concerns about the overall nutritional value of these meals. For many children, a school lunch is the only hot meal they receive each day, and I believe the current menu is failing those children.
Furthermore, I believe ultra-processed foods have no place on a school menu and should be banned across Scotland.
5,766 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
Click here for further information about the consideration of this petition.