CHILDREN'S meals at some of Britain's best-known restaurant chains are falling short of healthy eating standards, with nuggets, burgers and sausages dominating menus, it has been claimed.
Eight out of 21 companies do not offer vegetables or salad with main meals and 10 do not include a portion of fruit in kids' desserts, according to the research by the Soil Association and food manufacturer Organix.
In the survey of 21 brands – including names such as Jamie's Italian, Wagamama, KFC and Burger King – only 11 companies would confirm whether their food was freshly cooked and only four out of that total made most of their children's meals in their kitchens.
Jamie's Italian, run by Jamie Oliver who famously ran his own campaign to transform school dinners, was found to be the best for children followed by Wagamama and Wetherspoons while Prezzo, KFC and Burger King came at the bottom of the list.
Four out of 10 parents said they eat out once a fortnight or more with their families, but Joanna Lewis, head of policy at the Soil Association, said the choice currently on offer was failing youngsters and their mothers and fathers.
"Our investigation reveals most high street restaurants are not even meeting the most basic standards families should expect when they eat out," she said. "Restaurants need to raise the bar and listen to parents who are saying they want fresh food not ready- meals for their children, and the same kind of variety you'd expect as an adult. In the wake of horsegate, it also rings alarm bells that only one restaurant knows where its meat comes from."
The Soil Association and Organix has now launched an Out to Lunch campaign, calling on high street restaurants and pubs to offer young diners the choice of a children's portion of adult meals, serve freshly prepared food and offer free water to families.
Oliver, founder of Jamie's Italian which came first in the league table, said: "We believe the quality of the kids' food should to be right up there on the same level as the main menu, and I truly believe we have a brilliant offering that both kids love and parents can trust."
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