Devon nursery bans white bread and uncut raisins from packed lunches

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 12:08 · Archive

A Devon pre-school has issued strict rules on what children can bring in packed lunches, banning white bread and requiring fruit and vegetables to be cut in specific ways.

Busy Otters pre-school in Devon has issued a 'safer eating policy' setting strict requirements for packed lunches brought in by parents. White bread is banned as a choking hazard unless toasted, while brown bread is permitted. The policy requires apples, pears and melons to be cut into thin slices; grapes, cherries, berries, strawberries and cherry tomatoes cut lengthways into quarters; oranges peeled, segmented and checked for pips; and carrots, cucumber, peppers and celery cut into narrow batons or sticks. Raisins are only allowed if cut in half, and cheese should be cut into thin strips or grated, with cheese strings prohibited.

The nursery has also banned all treats, including crisps, chocolate, chocolate brioche, biscuits, cake bars and sausages. The policy states these measures are needed to ensure children bring in only 'safe and healthy' meals.

The rules have provoked criticism, with comedian Simon Harris describing them as 'potty'.

How it is being reported

• Despair as school imposes strict nanny state lunchbox rules for white breadA preschool has been slammed for banning white bread from lunchboxes in a move branded 'potty'.Daily Express · 16 Oct, 11:43
• Nursery 'health and safety' lunch box policy slammed with white bread ban and odd raisin demandA pre-school in Devon has provoked anger after banning certain foods and wrongly-cut fruit and veg in a bid to ensure children only bring in 'safe and healthy packed lunches'The Mirror · 15 Oct, 15:42

In this story: Busy Otters pre-school · Ottery St Mary · Devon · Simon Harris

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem