occasional food Should not be provided

Limit provision of these foods or drinks.
Occasional foods and drinks are high in saturated fat and/or salt and/or sugar. These foods should be provided about once a term (or four times a year), for example, at a fair or other exceptional event.
» everyday food » sometimes food

occasional food

Occasional foods should not be provided because, in general, they:

  • Are low in vitamins and minerals and provide minimal nutritional value
  • Contain significant levels of saturated fat and/or salt and/or added sugar
  • Usually contribute excess kilojoules (energy)

Certain foods and drinks automatically fall into the occasional food category. These foods are:

  • Confectionery
  • Deep-fried foods (for example, chips, deep-fried fish)
  • Full-sugar and artificially sweetened energy drinks
  • Full-sugar carbonated beverages (for example, soft drinks/fizzy drinks)
  • Artificially sweetened carbonated beverages (in ECE services only)
  • Flavoured water, fortified water and sports drinks (in ECE services only)

It is important to maintain consistent messages even when providing food and drinks at special events (such as family days, excursions) or for fundraising.

There are other foods and beverages that are not recommended for sale or provision in schools/ECE services. These include any beverages labelled with 'not recommended for children' and any food or beverage labelled 'dietary supplement'.

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New Zealand Government Healthy Eating - Healthy Action