A sad end to the Aussie classic

First ham and cheese toasties, now FAIRY BREAD: School canteens are barred from selling Aussie classic – sparking fury

A ban on ham and cheese toasties being served at school canteens sparked outrage over the weekend.

And now nanny education officials in another state have called for fairy bread- another Aussie classic to be canned too.

The South Australia Education Department says sprinkles should not be provided or supplied at the state’s public schools, under their Right Bite healthy food and drinks guidelines.

The South Australia government have said the guidelines are just that – guidelines, and are not a ban.

The state government added that the guidelines don’t apply to what parents pack in their kids’ school lunchboxes.

The news comes after Western Australia banned ham and cheese toasted sandwiches from public schools in a bid to cut down on processed meats which can lead to a higher risk factor of developing bowel cancer.

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South Australia has demonised the childhood favourite food, placing it on the red list. It is not just banned from schools, but sports carnivals and after school care as well (pictured stock image of girl enjoying fairy bread)

The latest ban has been branded as ‘over the top’ by critics.

Adelaide dietitian Mattea Palombo told The Advertiser removing treats gave the wrong impression to 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,’ she said.

Ms Palombo said the classic Aussie party treat is a ‘happy’ food linked to joyful childhood memories.

The nutritionist agreed it may not provide the same nutritional value as fruit and vegetables, but believed shouldn’t be banned if it is part of a healthy diet.

South Australian Association of School Parent Communities president Jenice Zerna was devastated to hear about the fairy bread ban and suggested that she would rather give her granddaughter the sweet treat than 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,’ she said.

Ms Zerna agreed there needed to be healthy guidelines but doesn’t see the harm in bringing it to the school on special occasions, such as fetes.

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School kids in South Australia (pictured stock photo) can no longer have access to their beloved fairy bread from the canteen or at in-class parties or rewards

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Woolworths is now selling Fairy Bread hot cross buns – a limited edition flavour that has sent Australians into a spin

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Fairy bread is just one of many items Right Bite guidelines stipulate should not be available in South Australian schools.

Cakes, slices and muffins are also frowned on .

Food is divided into four categories – green for best options, amber for those that should be chosen carefully and red 1 for items that can only be eaten twice a term in the ‘smallest portion available’.

Red 2 is for items that can never be sold or supplied on any occasion.

The strict guidelines were updated last June and don’t just apply to primary and secondary school canteens.

They are also applicable at fundraising events and sports carnivals, excursions, camps, out of school hours care (OSHC) and classroom rewards and incentives.

Other red 2 items include hot chips, fried foods, sugary ice blocks and sweets, including chocolate alternative carob.

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

The green list includes bread, tinned fish, reduced-fat plain milk and cottage cheese.

The guidelines say foods on the green list should make up 60 per cent of what is for sale in school canteens.

South Australia education minister Blair Boyer said the guidelines were developed to help teach young children about healthy eating.

‘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.

Health crusader Dr James Muecke, the 2020 Australian of the Year, said the guidelines were based on outdated information.

Mr Muecke believed it doesn’t go far enough to to stop obesity and type two diabetes, and said it needed to come with a program that warned school kids about the dangers of the red foods.

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The magical childhood food is nostalgic and many believe there is nothing wrong with indulging in the treat at special occasions, such as school fetes and birthday parties