THE SNP has been slammed over its new “nanny state” plans that will ban birthday cakes from nurseries across the country.
The new food guidelines come amid the party’s plans to improve children’s diets and make youngsters healthier.
And it states that parents will be banned from bringing in “unhealthy” junk food when they drop off their kids.
Birthday cake is among the banned items, with the 108-page document stating that childcare workers will no longer be able to celebrate special occasions with treats.
Other foods included in the plans are potato wedges, some granolas and yoghurts, and even orange juice.
The new guidance, called Setting The Table, is set to be rolled out this summer and will be enforced by the Care Inspectorate, according to Daily Mail.
It states: “Many families like to celebrate their child’s birthday and other special events, often by bringing in a cake or sweets to the childcare setting to share.
“Unfortunately, this can mean that some children are eating these unhealthy foods several times a week.
There are so many childminders who are up in arms about this new guidance. It is just so unrealistic
Anonymous care worker
“An alternative way of celebrating the occasion should be adopted and be part of your food and nutrition policy.”
It goes on to add: “This could be choosing a special activity or going on a special trip. It does not have to involve expense.”
Scotland’s care watchdog will also carry out routine inspections where they will “expect registered childcare providers to be able to demonstrate how they are meeting this guidance”.
But the plans have been blasted by care workers who have branded the new plans “unrealistic”.
They also said that staff are worried that they could be punished or receive poor performance reports if they accidentally give a child the wrong type of food.
One anonymous childminder who has worked in nurseries for 20 years told Mail Online that the new guidance could undermine the “home from home” feel that staff have worked hard to create.
The worker, who is based in the Central Belt, said: “There are so many childminders who are up in arms about this new guidance.
“It is just so unrealistic.”
While others have said that the new “draconian rules” are “overreach”.
Roz McCall, Children and young people spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: “Everybody wants to promote healthier eating, especially when children are young.
Most people will see things like a ban on birthday cake as the worst kind of nanny state overreach
Roz McCall
“But it won’t happen by imposing such draconian rules or blanket prohibitions.
“These guidelines risk becoming an onerous requirement for childminders and nurseries.
“And most people will see things like a ban on birthday cake as the worst kind of nanny state overreach.”
In the Setting The Table document, the full extent of what nurseries will and won’t be allowed to give kids is outlined.
It states that childcare providers are only allowed to offer kids milk and water, while other drinks like fruit juices and smoothies “should not be made available at any point over the day”.
Cereal is only allowed to be served if it contains less than 15g of sugar and 3g of fibre, as well as and no more than 400mg of sodium, 1.1g of salt all per 100g.
This means that cereals like Sainsbury’s Raisin, Nut & Honey Granola will be banned from nurseries.
This is also the case for white bread as only rolls with just 3g of fibre per 100g are allowed.
Only yoghurts that are plain and unsweetened can be served, and the only savoury snacks that will be allowed are plain oatcakes, plain savoury crackers, plain rice cakes or breadsticks.
Other foods on the banned list are crisps, corn puffs, tortilla chips, pretzels, popcorn, prawn crackers, and Bombay mix.
Everybody wants to promote healthier eating, especially when children are young. But it won’t happen by imposing such draconian rules or blanket prohibitions
Roz McCall
While confectionary and chocolates, as well as cake, are not allowed, even if it is brought in by parents.
Workers are also been urged to encourage kids not to use sauces and condiments such as ketchup by not leaving them on tables during meal times.
The document also has a say in how often certain foods can be served to youngsters.
Pily fish has to be served a minimum of once every three weeks, while fried foods can only be served a maximum of once per week.
This includes any “product which is fried in the manufacturing process” like chicken nuggets, potato wedges or fish fingers.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Red meat, including lean mince, is only allowed to be served a maximum of three times a week.
A Scottish Government spokesman told Mail Online: “The guidance has been developed in collaboration with experts in child health and nutrition, alongside partners in the childcare sector, including the Scottish Childminding Association”.
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