Government program of 40 million pounds "puts children in the shelter" of fruits and vegetables

Free fruits and vegetables given to millions of schoolchildren are often of poor quality, aged and possibly related to pesticides, it is said.

The Soil Association's food charity indicates that students are offered products that lack flavor and texture. It teaches them not to like – or at least to be wary of – fruits and vegetables.

He calls for a review of the School Fruit and Veg program, which costs taxpayers £ 40 million a year and aims to improve the health of children in England.

The food charity of the Soil Association says that students are offered products that lack taste and texture

A large part of the production is imported – for example, only 13% of the apples and 5% of the pears are British.

This means that it was probably harvested a while ago and lacks freshness and vitamins.

A report released last year by the Pesticide Action Network also found that fruits and vegetables were more likely to contain chemical residues than items sold in supermarkets.

Rob Percival, Food Policy Officer of the Soil Association, said: "The government needs to redefine the diet so that a higher proportion of the product is British, local and organic, and therefore fresher, from known source, containing less pesticide residues, and is more enjoyable for children.

However, the Ministry of Health has stated that foods under the scheme "follow the same safety and quality legislation as all other fruits and vegetables supplied for consumption in the United Kingdom".

A large part of the production is imported – for example, only 13% of the apples and 5% of the pears are British