‘Wrong message’: Fairy bread and other treats sliced from SA schools

It’s a sprinkle of happiness in Aussie childhoods, but fairy bread is off the approved menu for SA public schools. What do you think of the move? Take our poll here.

Imogen Fieg, 7 and Elouise Fieg, 5 with Fairy Bread at their house in Woodcroft SA. Pictured on Feb 12 2024. Picture: Ben Clark

It’s a sprinkle of happiness in Aussie childhoods, but fairy bread is off the approved menu for South Australian public schools.

In a move that’s been branded “over the top”, the Education Department says hundreds and thousands – which are scattered on buttered bread in the classic treat – should not be provided or supplied at public schools.

Cakes, slices and muffins are also frowned on and lunchbox staple fritz limited to being served at just two school events a term under the department’s Right Bite healthy food and drink guidelines.

While the SA government insists they are guidelines only and not a ban, and do not apply to what parents put in kids’ lunchboxes, it comes as West Australian schools ban humble ham-and-cheese toasties from canteens.

Ham and cheese toasties have been sliced from WA schools. Photo: Sam Wundke.

But Adelaide dietitian Mattea Palombo – who promotes an “encourage all foods” policy on healthy eating – said removing treats gave the wrong impression for children.

“We are sending a message to children and also parents that they should be restricted, which puts the food on a hierarchy and only makes children want these foods more,” said Ms Palombo, who runs Adelaide Nutrition.

“Fairy bread is about joy and happiness and childhood memories. It may not provide nutrition like an apple or a vegetable but, if it’s part of a healthy, balanced diet, it should not be banned.”

Ms Palombo said fairy bread was a “play food”, which “form a small part of a healthy balanced diet along with the core food groups – fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, dairy and protein”.

“Restriction is not the answer. Balance and moderation is,” she said.

The fairy bread furore has left South Australian Association of School Parent Communities president Jenice Zerna “personally devastated”.

“I grew up with fairy bread, for me it’s a very special thing,” Ms Zerna said. “There’s got to be healthy guidelines but what would be the harm in bringing in fairy bread for a classroom party at the end of the year or the school fete once or twice a year?

“I’d rather give my granddaughter a slice of fairy bread than give her a packet of chips.

“And for some parents, something like fairy bread might be the only thing that’s cost effective that they can afford to be able to supply for that party or fundraiser.”

Fairy bread is off the menu for South Australian public schools. Picture: Supplied.

Hundreds and thousands are just one of scores of favourites that the department’s Right Bite guidelines say should not be made available at public schools. But buckwheat, lentils, chickpeas and tofu are given the green light.

Foods are divided into four categories – best options (green), those that should be chosen carefully (amber), eaten twice a term in the “smallest portion available” at school celebrations or fundraising events (red 1) and never sold or supplied on any occasion (red 2).

The guidelines, which were updated last June, apply to canteens at primary and secondary schools as well as fundraising events and sports days, excursions and camps, out of school hours care (OSHC) and classroom rewards and incentives. Hot chips, fried foods, sugary ice blocks and sweets, including chocolate alternative carob, are included in those that should not be sold or provided by schools at all.

Pies, sausage rolls and pasties and sandwich favourites fritz, honey and jam are on the red 1 list and should only be sold or offered at special school events just twice a term.

On the green list is bread, tinned fish, reduced-fat plain milk and cottage cheese. The guidelines say foods from this list should make up 60 per cent of what is on offer.

Sandwich favourites fritz, honey and jam are on the red 1 list and should only be sold or offered at special school events just twice a term. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The Advertiser has been contacted by children in OSHC centres who have questioned why they can’t have jam – which is on the red 1 list – as an after school treat. Butter and cream are also restricted to twice a term.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said fairy bread – and all other foods on the red 2 list – were not banned as Right Bite and its traffic light system were “guidelines only”.

Mr Boyer said Right Bite was developed with SA Health advice to support schools educate young people about healthy eating habits.

“Preventative education is always the best way to instil healthy eating habits, and the Right Bite resource is designed as a practical strategy to assist schools,” he said.

But health crusader Dr James Muecke, the 2020 Australian of the Year, said Right Bite, which was based on “outdated and flawed” national guidelines, did not go far enough to tackle obesity and an epidemic of type 2 diabetes affecting kids from age three.

Dr Muecke said the Right Bite rules should be enforced with a program in schools to “warn children of the dangers of excessive sugar, seed oils and ultra-processed foods”.

“It’s not just an occasional bit of fairy bread, it’s every kid who has a birthday – in come chocolate cakes and bags of lollies, almost … daily,’ he said.