A study published today suggests that the government’s £42 million free school fruit and veg scheme has failed to impact positively on children’s nutrition.

The survey of 3,703 youngsters between the ages of four and six in the north of England, who were given free fruit between February and December 2004, revealed that by the end of the period, their diet was unchanged.

Tick-box questionnaires filled in by their parents showed that the kids’ fruit and veg intake had increased by half a portion a day after three months, but by the time they had moved up another school year and out of the eligibility age for the scheme, any benefits had disappeared.

Janet Cade, professor at the centre for epidemiology and biostatic at Leeds University, and one of the study’s authors, said the older children only received free fruit for four or five months, which may not have been long enough to help alter their eating habits.

The problem has also been linked to boredom, due to the limited fruit on offer, usually consisting of apples, pears, easy-peel citrus and bananas. Stonefruit is not distributed widely because of fears the children may choke on the stones.

To improve, the researchers said fruit and veg have to become a normal part of a child’s intake in school meals, packed lunches and at home.

Free handouts on their own do not work, said Professor Lowe from Bangor, who came up with the Food Dudes programme. “You can make fruit and vegetables available to kids, but you cannot make them eat it,” he said.

The Department of Health insisted today’s study was based on the early days of the scheme, and said it would son publish “ a more comprehensive evaluation”.

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