Lunch-Box Nazis?
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Australian Parents Furious at Mandatory-Food Policy
Australian parents are wondering “what’s next?” after the government implemented a new childcare center policy that restricts the types of food they can put in their children’s lunchboxes.
The program, called Good for Kids, Good for Life, was recently implemented at more than 300 preschools and day-care centers in the Hunter New England area of Australia to combat childhood obesity. Not only have foods high in fat, salt, and sugar been banned from meals and snacks, but even fruit has been limited: sultanas raisins to one, three-quarter-tablespoon portion, and apples to a half-sized serving.
The government initiative also requires childcare staff to conduct lunchbox audits to ensure that parents comply with strict food policies.
That leaves parents, like mother of three Tania Puxty, in a quandary.
She says she doesn’t have a problem with recommendations for healthy food options, but “lunchbox Nazis” limiting her child’s food intake is going too far. Her three-year-old son, Mason, will not eat his food unless he has a whole piece of fruit or a sandwich containing fillings that he likes. “It’s basically a diet they’re putting them on, and I don’t want my three-year-old children on a diet.”
When she voiced her concerns, Puxty says she was told that the day care center could lose its license if it did not enforce the new policy. She has also been told by a program representative that if she continued to pack unauthorized food, they would need to sit down one-on-one with her to fix her kids’ eating problems.
WTH??? Whats next! That is craziness!
Jun 16 at 11:25 pm
This is Crazy!?!?!?!?!?!?!
it’s like soooooo TOTALY CRAAAAZZZZY!!!!!!!!!!
Three year old kids do NOT need to go on a DIET!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 19 at 8:39 pm
Of course if you raise your kids yourself instead of handing them over to a stranger, you can feed them what ever you want.
Jun 20 at 12:46 pm
This is where the “little laws” lead. Government slips in one thing at a time and then you find a law passed that regulates what you eat, what hours you are allowed out, when to display your national id card, etc. I’m sure there was a precursor to the food ban by the government.
Jun 20 at 3:55 pm
DGUOR, that is well put. “little laws” is what has screwed us this far.
Jun 22 at 12:25 am
As a former Kindergartener on a diet I can tell you that food-control at a young age leads to an unhealthy obession with food in adult life. They just need to suggest healthy choices to the parents and leave the rest alone. They should focus more on getting the kids more active.
Jun 25 at 1:00 pm
Australia huh? Stick to kangaroos will ya!
Jun 25 at 1:21 pm
This is already going on here in the US. I haven’t heard of limiting food, but they disallow unhealthy foods at class parties. Parents and kids are told not to have unhealthy foods in their snacks and lunches.
Jun 26 at 4:11 am
We have intrusive policies in the U.S. as well. They are always passed off as protecting the children or being in their best interest. Our car seat and seat belt laws are a prime example. We have an epidemic of crime in this country, yet they have local and state police watching for cars where individuals are not wearing seat belts.
Jul 8 at 4:07 pm
The move, “Demolition Man” provides a glimpse into where we’re going if we do not protect our rights. There are other more professional works, but the message is the same on a common theme, uniting as “one” and getting rid of what the “majority” deems is inappropriate.
Jul 13 at 5:23 pm
Frances, not everyone can afford to say home with thier children. I admit is the best option, but in todays world, unless you are willing to move to the mountains and fish for food and grow your own garden, you just can’t make it as a single parent without help. Yes divorce is wrong (for any trvial reason) but my wife and child was repeatedly beaten by her former husband and so she HAD to work to survive and had no options for putting her son in preschool.
And now our son is in preschool, not because we don’t want to take care of him, but becuase he NEEDS social interaction. He goes to a Christian preschool, but unless you live in a community of Christians who all have children your childs same age, you will need to find children for them to play with. And my son likes to play A LOT, so a 1 hour visit here and there would not be nurturing his God given personality.
Jul 14 at 5:45 pm
I agree with Mrs. Wellborn. Enough is enough! The lawmakers need to address the high profile of crime in this nation. We all know there is real child abuse and neglect going on, but I do not believe the state has a right to tell parents how to raise their own children! America, we need to wake up to what’s going on!
Jul 29 at 3:32 pm
Mrs. Bean, the FBI keeps stats on crimes. If the police departments take the reports, then it is recorded with the FBI. When you go to their site, do you find that there is really a serious problem with parents running rampant with child abuse?
Losing any child is tragic. I cringe when I see mothers who left their children with boyfriends who shook their babies to death or until brain damage was sustained. Physically-sexually-emotionally-spiritually-medically abusing any child is monstrous. Period.
Passing more laws to erode the rights of parents doing a great job (in large numbers) is not the answer. Enforcing the laws in effect is the answer. I experienced changes laws throughout the course of my career. Some good, some ineffective, some that infringed on our Constitutional rights (which were repealed appropriately). Felons still get guns. Addicts still buy drugs. Pass all the laws you want. Felons will still get guns. Addicts will still find and buy drugs.
Abusers will still abuse. The key is to enforce the laws in existence without abusing the authority given to CPS, officers, and the courts. That’s why I support the PRA as it still references the laws in effect. There needs to be evidence to seize someone’s child - and this evidence must meet the definitions in our Constitutional laws - not international laws.
We do have too much crime. These are difficult times. People are getting kicked out of their homes, cars are getting repo’d, food is contaminated, and gas, well, you know… This is why I support parental education. Knowledge is the power (and method) we need to ensure parenting skills meet the needs of children. The more parents we reach, the better we affect generations to come. I do not think the state needs to tell parents how to raise their children - but if intervention is necessary, classes are appropriate to interrupt cycles. This is where a difference can be made.
Aug 1 at 1:14 am
I think that’s nuts, but not surprising.The government(no matter what country)is always trying to tell us that we don’t know what is best for our kids and that they do.It’s just wrong. They should not tell us how to raise our kids.It’s okay to be nutritionally educated but let us handle our homes and families.
Aug 14 at 10:50 am
Saying that healthy food should be eaten or served in school kitchen is not wrong but I see it as an incouragement to limiting foods that lead to obesity and diabetes. The Australian govt has gone too far and need to leave kids care to parents.
Aug 15 at 8:36 pm
Oh, Thanks! Really funny. Big ups!
Aug 17 at 8:19 pm