The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a framework of core skills and knowledge for children and young people, called the food competences framework. The network sets out the essential building blocks in relation to healthy eating, cooking and food safety.

The FSA publication is intended to help schools and community-based organisations provide children and young people with the foundation to make healthy food choices now and into adulthood. The framework applies to young people aged between five and 16, and also encompasses wider food issues that reflect the views of both the FSA and includes themes such as diet and health, consumer awareness, cooking (food preparation and handling), and food safety. The food competences framework falls within the FSA's core principles, which outline the agency's fundamental objectives in relation to its work with schools across the UK.

The food competences support wider government work aimed at improving the health of young people and will contribute towards helping schools develop a “whole school approach” to diet and health. Because they are progressive and cumulative from one age stage to the next, the framework will help children to develop a consistent set of food skills and knowledge. Importantly, the competences apply to all learning experiences, both within and outside the school setting, and can be met at home or through other activities.

Head of nutrition at the FSA, Rosemary Hignett, said: “Young people must be able to select and prepare a safe, healthy and balanced diet for themselves. Eating habits are often set early in life and through the food competences framework, the agency is helping to shape the eating habits of the next generation.”