This morning we woke up to headline news on Sunrise, about South Australian schools banning a range of new items in school canteens including fairy bread and beloved Smiley Fritz. The reaction was immediate. Outrage, discussions around how the ban will encourage children to desire the contraband even more (does this mean an underground racket on fairy bread for 7 year olds?) and parents collectively losing their minds. Since then, the media has spiralled, with stories across 7 News “SA Education Department says snack should not be served at school”, Sky News “SA bans fairy bread from school canteens” and more.
The social media fallout has been spectacular, garnering thousands of comments across various platforms.
The reports on the ban on sprinkles, including 100s and 1000s, in South Australian school canteens was based on new guidelines categorising them as “red 2,” indicating they should not be promoted or encouraged on school premises. Reports said this decision followed the limitation of processed meats like ham in Western Australian canteens, which prompted similar restrictions in South Australia. Processed meats like Smiley Fritz were said to now fall under either the “red 1” or “amber” categories in South Australia, subject to nutritional criteria, potentially leading to limitations on products containing them.
Well, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief, because the Department For Education, South Australia, has posted a response on Facebook to the uproar, clearing the air and setting the record straight.
“Fun fact: Fairy bread has not been and will not be banned in South Australian Public Schools.”
Not satisfied with this simple response, the public were quick to drill down on the reports, and asked some important questions – to which the Department responded:
Kiera asked: “what about ham and cheese sandwiches and toasties like WA?” – to which the Department responded “no plans to do that either.”
So don’t fret – Smiley Fritz is also not officially ‘banned’.
On Facebook, Andrew asked the “Department for Education, South Australia, Please confirm are the Rite Bite guidelines simply a guideline and recommendations or are they mandatory? All the literature indicates they are ‘recommended best practice’ and ‘should be applied’ meaning if a school/canteen/OSHC doesn’t want to they don’t have to?!?” – to which the Department responded “Yes, it’s purely a guideline.”
Well that’s all clear now folks. There are no bans, just great headlines. Our fairy bread and fritz is safe for the time being. And we all now know that there’s some great canteens out there serving foods that were only party food back in my day…
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