By Steve Bargeton, political editor

CHILDREN WILL be banned from having chips more than three times a week at school under new regulations unveiled yesterday.

As part of a drive to encourage youngsters to eat more healthily, sweets, fizzy drinks and fatty foods are coming off the menu in primaries from August, with secondary schools to follow.

Under the new regulations, part of legislation passed by the previous Scottish Executive, schools will have to offer at least two portions of fruit and vegetables every lunchtime as well as free drinking water throughout the day.

Deep-fried food will be limited to three items a week and chips will only be served as part of a nutritional lunch.

The healthy eating drive will be matched by a requirement on schools to offer pupils two hours of PE a week, the chance to take part in physical activities in break times, lunchtimes and at the end of the school day.

Announcing the measures yesterday, schools minister Maureen Watt said, “Obesity is an increasing problem and poses a serious risk to health.

“That’s why tackling the problem, particularly in early life, is a high priority and why we’re determined to help children develop a taste for healthy eating at the earliest possible age.

“As part of our national food policy we will be encouraging people to develop healthy eating habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives and help tackle the serious problem of obesity.

“Giving children guidance on what’s good for them and how to make good food choices is essential in taking this forward.”

In their election manifesto the SNP promised that every pupil would have two hours of “quality” PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers.

“This will give children and young people an important foundation for participation in experiences in physical activities and sport in preparation for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle,” said Ms Watt.

Labour education spokesman Ken Macintosh said there were questions over how this commitment would be delivered.

“The SNP have realised that offering regular PE to children goes a long way to improve their physical and mental health, setting them up for an active lifestyle in adulthood,” he said.

“However, as with class sizes and school buildings, important questions remain unanswered about how the government is going to meet this commitment.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie said, “Despite accepting that childhood obesity poses a major threat to the future health of our nation, the SNP’s target falls far short of what is needed to target this ticking time-bomb.”