Parent baffled after Sydney daycare centre bans Vegemite on toast

The NSW Health Minister has been forced to comment after a Sydney daycare centre stopped serving Vegemite on toast, trading the classic breakfast for cereal.

A decision by a Sydney daycare centre has forced the state’s health minister to confirm the government was “not in the game of banning Vegemite on toast”.

Great Beginnings in Sydney’s northwest suburb of Marsden Park informed parents it would no longer be serving toast to children in order to comply with carbohydrate requirements prescribed by NSW Health’s Munch & Move program.

On Monday, 2GB Breakfast host Ben Fordham said a listener had complained about the move, with the centre switching out toast for cereals like Rice Bubbles or Cornflakes.

The parent was told the “removal of toast was to ensure that the daily intake of carbohydrates on the menu (is) not exceeded to maintain a healthy, balanced diet”.

A Sydney daycare centre told parents and carers children would no longer be given toast for breakfast. Picture: iStock

The daycare centre also said no daycare attendees had refused the cereal offered, however if they didn’t want cereal, they could also be given an alternative, “such as fruit salad”.

Responding to the claims, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said there was no official direction from the government to ban toast or Vegemite from day care centres. Instead centres may implement rules so they can meet dietary guidelines from NSW Health’s Munch & Move program.

“Sometimes around these guidelines there are some recommendations around reducing salt. Local centres might do that,” he said.

“We’re not in the game of banning Vegemite on toast I can assure you.

“Vegemite is not going anywhere. Toast is not going anywhere. We don’t want people to feel bad because their kids are having Vegemite … my kids love it.”

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the government had not banned toast from daycare centres. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Commenting on behalf of Great Beginnings, a G8 spokeswoman said the latest “routine” menu change was made to ensure the children could “enjoy a variety of foods,” however toast was still on offer at other meal times.

“As part of Great Beginnings Marsden Park’s most recent menu update, the centre is serving a range of cereals and fruit for the children to choose from at breakfast,” she said.

“Toast is always available if children would like it, and, in this current menu rotation, is served as part of the morning tea menu.”

She said children could have raisin toast for morning tea, while lunch usually incorporates bread, rice or pasta.

“Afternoon tea includes crackers, cake and vegetable sticks. Fruit is also served with all meals,” she said.

“We are committed to providing the children in our care with a healthy, balanced diet that helps them thrive.

In 2017, NSW school canteens were advised to only “lightly spread” or use Vegemite in ”small amounts,” prompting then-education minister Rob Stokes to be asked about the Department of Education directive in question time.

Mr Stokes responded by saying the Aussie icon would continue to be served in school canteens.

“While I am education minister, Vegemite sandwiches will continue to be on offer in New South Wales school canteens,” he said.

“The Government is a pro-Vegemite government.”