The Agency has launched a public consultation on the minimum food skills and knowledge that young people should possess, understand and be able to apply by different ages.

Working with the British Nutrition Foundation to develop the core food competences framework, the aim is to make it easier for young people to select healthier choices, based on a sound understanding of key food skills and knowledge of what constitutes a healthy diet.

Building on the Agency's previous work, 'Getting to Grips with Grub, Food Competences for 14-16 year Olds', the food competences for the different ages (7-9, 11-12, 14 and 16+) encompass knowledge and skills built around four main themes:

-- diet and health
-- consumer awareness
-- food handling and preparation
-- food safety

The food competences help those responsible for and/or working with young people to identify some of the building blocks that can help young people learn more about food and health. They represent a way to help young people assess any gaps in their learning opportunities.

The consultation promotes and encourages organisations and individuals to adopt the food competences through a voluntary approach, and those using them are free to build upon and expand them in a range of ways to help deliver food-related activities to young people.

The framework of skills and knowledge do not represent a school's curriculum requirement, but apply to all learning experiences that young people are exposed to, including in and outside of school, wider activities or through family life and so on.

Rosemary Hignett, Head of Nutrition at the FSA, said: 'Taking action to improve the next generation's knowledge and skills is vital if we are to influence young people's eating habits to benefit them, their families and future generations. We need to tackle poor diets and increasing rates of childhood obesity, so the Agency is working hard to help young people choose, cook and eat safe and healthier foods.'

The Agency is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders within the food, nutrition, health and education sectors and those that have an interest in the development of young people, to gauge their views, opinions and recommendations. In addition, the views and ideas of young people form a valuable contribution and the Agency is using its network of nine schools' councils to capture the feedback of primary and secondary-aged young people.

In the 12-week consultation period, feedback from all these parties will be carefully considered by the Agency in conjunction with the British Nutrition Foundation, after which a consensus view, together with the proposals for the development of supporting materials, will be published by the end of October 2007.

Food Competency framework: food skills and knowledge for young people aged 7-9, 11-12, 14 and 16+
FSA launches UK consultation on food competences for 7-9, 11-12, 14 and 16+ year olds

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