Many of you might have heard the news that the French government has banned ketchup in all elementary schools. Children will be able to have it once a week, on their French fries (which will also only be served once a week).
Most of the English-language media coverage gives the impression that the French government is ‘interfering’ too much with what children eat (particularly when you consider that French children are not allowed to bring their own lunches, and there are no vending machines in schools). I disagree. School is a place where our children learn life skills: how to read, how to write, how to do math and…how to eat properly. With its high salt and sugar content, ketchup is not healthy for children. And if children slather their food in ketchup, they’re not learning to enjoy the taste of different foods. So bravo to the French, in my opinion.
We all know that ketchup is yummy. I have a serious weakness for fries and ketchup, and so do my daughters. I’m not saying that kids shouldn’t eat ketchup at all, but that they shouldn’t be eating it every day for lunch.
Do you think we should ban ketchup in schools?
karenlebillon.com 