John
10-08-2009, 04:21 PM
Children at St John's Church of England School, in Stanmore, north west London, use a photo ID card when they buy their lunch.
A list of the main course, side dishes and pudding they have chosen is then sent to a website, which their parents can check.
The 300 pupils are the first in the Harrow borough to try out the system, which is being run for the council by private company Nationwide.
It is hoped the system will encourage healthy eating, although it also records a child's allergies and rejects any unsuitable choices.
Councillor Anjana Patel, Harrow Council's portfolio holder for schools and children's development, said: "This isn't a case of big brother but we think it is important that parents can see what their very young children are eating during the day so that they can help them make better nutritional choices.
"Parents can now have extra assurance that their children have already eaten a healthy meal during the day."
A list of the main course, side dishes and pudding they have chosen is then sent to a website, which their parents can check.
The 300 pupils are the first in the Harrow borough to try out the system, which is being run for the council by private company Nationwide.
It is hoped the system will encourage healthy eating, although it also records a child's allergies and rejects any unsuitable choices.
Councillor Anjana Patel, Harrow Council's portfolio holder for schools and children's development, said: "This isn't a case of big brother but we think it is important that parents can see what their very young children are eating during the day so that they can help them make better nutritional choices.
"Parents can now have extra assurance that their children have already eaten a healthy meal during the day."