Marmite Banned From School

They say that you either love it or hate it, but Marmite is definitely not loved by a school in Wales as it has been removed from the Breakfast menu, the reason being that it contains too much salt.

This moved has surprised many parents who are happy for the children to have Marmite on their toast in the morning, after all it has to be better than having junk food or even worse nothing at all.

A spokesperson for the Ceredigion village school said, "Breakfast clubs are intended to improve the health and concentration of children - to assist in the raising of standards of learning and attainment,"

"But anything served must be healthy and nutritionally balanced.

"Marmite is not included on the list of items as it does include a high level of salt.

"Low sugar marmalade or jam can be spread on toast, but lemon curd is not on the list of provisions."

However, there are disputed claims regarding who actually made the decision to ban the spread, school blames the local council, while the local council is blaming the national assembly.

 A Ceredigion Council spokesperson said, "The food items are based on guidance received from the Welsh Assembly Government," said the spokesperson.

Nevertheless, a spokesperson for the assembly government, which funds breakfast clubs at schools throughout Wales, said they did not mention Marmite in their guidance.

"In terms of toppings for toast we indicate these are option and where required a low-fat polyunsaturated spread should be used and similarly a reduced sugar jam.

"Where toppings are provided, we would of course encourage schools to carefully consider what they make available to the children."

Even the claims of the salt content are disputed; the makers Unilever say that there is only a small amount of salt in their product.

A spokesperson for Unilever who make Marmite - a favourite since 1902 - said: "It is disappointing the council is not including Marmite in its items for breakfast clubs.

"It does contain salt and it is important that only small quantities are used for taste.

"But it is not harmful, and only a small amount is required to make toast tasty for children."

Is this just a case of Marmite hate?

Source [BBC]