Lunch secrets sprung

A survey of more than 900 lunchboxes has revealed that nine out of 10 school lunches do not meet nutritional guidelines.

The Massey University survey of six Manawatu primary schools, covering the scope of the Education Ministry's decile ratings system, found 80 per cent of food thrown away was healthy food.

The typical lunch box had a white-bread sandwich and three items of junk food.

Researcher Dr Emma Dresler-Hawke suggested a partnership between schools, parents and children was needed to develop a healthy lunch and overall food policy at school.