Prue Leith sparks fury over packed lunch ban: ‘Not every parent can afford to pay!’
Good Morning Britain welcomed Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith onto the show today and the star, whose job it is to judge sweet treats and cakes, sparked controversy for trying to police what children should eat for school lunches. She declared packed lunches should be banned in favour of a healthy meal.
Prue told hosts Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid: “It’s true that there are some mums who do really well but most people don’t they fill lunch boxes with junk.
To be honest if I was doing packed lunch I would be tempted to put in some little treats but a treat should be once a week not everyday and it’s just very difficult.”
Policing school meals and lunchboxes is a lot easier at primary school level, however Prue says the issue is canteen style lunches in secondary schools.
She explained: “The Mercier School in Sheffield is a secondary school, the children bring nothing into school, the food is absolutely delicious they have an excellent chef and all on £2.20 per head for school lunches but they get breakfast as well the teachers sit down with the students at school and they are taught to cook at school. ”
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Prue’s answer to a ban on a packed lunch is a full sit down meal, learning table manners and “making lunch a lesson” with healthy food.
She believes that all schools could be providing a better lunch service but it comes down to facilities.
Prue continued: “They don’t have good enough kitchen, there is a huge lack of chefs and there are very few food teachers, you went to teach children how to cook and no one is doing that.
“It’s not just about banning packed lunches, you have to do the whole thing right.
“When it comes to canteens, a good big school will stagger lunches so they don’t have to queue.”
Susanna pushed the idea Prue could be seen as a hypocrite judging other people’s eating habits, whilst putting her name to Great British Bake Off encouraging people to make and eat their own sweet treats.
However, Prue argued: “Most people get into cooking through baking, that is the best way to invest.”
Tensions rose when Ben suggested that, if lunchtime is the only break in the day his son isn’t going to get, he won’t want to sit down to a meal.
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Those tuning in to Good Morning Britain were outraged by her comments and took to Twitter to express their fury.
One viewer said: “Pru! Come on! You sound like a dragon! I send kids to school for dinners they get pizza, burgers. Chips, nuggets! I send them in with sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, crisps and a biscuit! Its lifestyle you need to tackle not snacks!!!”
Another added: “Prue Leith sayings a packed lunch should be banned. Where do these celebs get off telling what they can & can’t eat. What’s next food police in supermarkets telling us what we can & can’t buy #GMB.”
““Ban packed lunches are you serious? So parents that have to pay for school meals should just pay each day for the sake of it, for your child not to eat. my daughter has always been a fussy eater doesn’t mean to say her packed lunch is filled with junk food. #myopinion #GMB @GMB,” a third shared.
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Someone else continued: “No as not every parent can afford to pay for school dinners. Healthy lunches can be packed with educating parent #GMB.”
A fifth went on to add: “‘Ban school lunches’ says the woman who eats cakes for a living #goodmorningbritain #gmb.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.
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