Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has been called upon to investigate the practise of market research carried out in primary schools on behalf of private food companies.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin: called on to investigate market research being carried out in primary schools.
Concerns have been raised by youth organisations and parents groups over a report this morning that the Dublin Institute of Technology's (DIT) Food Product Development Centre carried out research in some schools. It is believed children were asked to taste foods such as chips, yoghurts and burgers.
Green Party education spokesman Paul Gogarty described the practice as a "scandalous and exploitative practice" and called on Minister Hanafin to put measures in place to ensure that children "were not influenced by business interests and that schools were allowed to be commercial-free environments."
Michael Mc Loughlin of Youth Work Ireland questioned the appropriateness of the exercise regardless of parental consent and said such practices send out "all the wrong messages in relation to healthy eating and lifestyles."
"In an era of corporate social responsibility the DIT and the companies involved also need to seriously examine their record in this regard," he said.
According to Jean Cahill, Head of Innovation in DIT's Faculty of Tourism and Food, "Special care is needed where children are involved and the welfare of participating children is the overriding consideration. I regret if parents have been disturbed by the way this issue has been reported but I can assure parents and guardians that the rights and welfare of children have been fully safeguarded."
Meanwhile, the principle of a Dublin school which took part in research carried out by DIT has defended his schools participation in the programme.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, Mr Ritchie Cotter who is principal of St Anne's School in Shankill, said his school was happy to participate in the research.
"We were asked by DIT to take part in some of their research, and we were happy to co-operate...We were not approached by any commercial companies, there was nothing of a commercial nature involved. The kids got a treat out of it," he said.
"We don't compromise our children, we enhance their lives in many ways," Mr Cotter added.
"The children are not being tested they are being asked to co-operate in something that which is very important dividing line...The fact that it is a university is a big plus, if they were coming from some commercial unit they would not get past my door," he added.
