Labour BANS kids celebrating birthdays with doughnuts in 'nanny state welfare ruling'

Schools risk failing Ofsted inspections if pupils are caught flouting a new zero-tolerance doughnut ban.

A diktat outlawing classroom treats introduced by Labour has sparked fury among parents because kids can no longer mark milestones sharing cake with their pals.

The decree is part of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nutrition guidance - introduced at the start of term - proscribing sugary snacks deemed a "safeguarding and welfare" issue.

State and private schools have been ordered to follow the 39-page ruling "unless there is good reason not to".

Banned foods apply to children in nursery and reception classes - typically those up to the age of five.

One parent who contacted a school to arrange sharing doughnuts to celebrate their child's birthday was unaware until a blanket reply stated birthdays would now be celebrated in "non-edible ways".

In a memo to hundreds of parents the headteacher said: "As you may be aware, new Early Years Foundation Stage guidance came into effect this September, following its publication earlier this year. One of the changes focuses on promoting healthy eating habits for young children.

"This means that we will no longer be able to give out doughnuts to celebrate birthdays. Instead, we will be marking these special occasions in other non-edible ways, such as with stickers and bubbles.

"We see this as a positive step forward in helping our children enjoy happy, healthy school days while still making birthdays exciting and special. Thank you for your support with this change."

But one furious mother described the Department for Education directive as "nanny state nonsense", adding: "What a way to snuff out the fun from what are massive milestones for so many little children. What happened to everything in moderation? Labour seems hellbent on squeezing every last drop of pleasure from every area of our lives."

Parents have been told a healthy, balanced diet should be based on four main food groups (fruit and vegetables; potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates; dairy or dairy alternatives; and beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins) because "these provide essential nutrients to help children grow and develop".

However, some medics think a carb-loaded diet is to blame for rising rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity-related illness which is costing the UK billions every year.

The EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements can be enforced under the Childcare Act 2006.

Guidance states: "Many families like to celebrate their child's birthday and other special events by bringing in a cake or sweets to the setting to share. This can mean that some children are eating these unhealthy foods several times a week. The food and nutrition policy could include recommendations for special events to ensure any food brought in from home is balanced and meets the setting's food guidelines (for example recommending fruit platters to share or non-edible options to celebrate with such as bubbles or stickers).

"Communication with parents and/or carers about these practices is key to ensuring they are informed and involved in supporting healthy eating habits at early years settings."

It comes after the Express revealed how 10 million Britons now suffer from junk food addiction.

Experts say the figure is a damning indictment of how ultra-processed and industrially-made food has permeated every area of our lives.

Dr Jen Unwin, a former sugar addict turned clinical psychologist, said: "Some 14% of the adult population is addicted to junk food and this is closely associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes

"The health disaster is already happening and it's time for the World Health Organisation to recognise refined sugars, grains, and ultra-processed foods can be addictive and cause misery for millions."

The irresistible combination of sugar, starch, fat and salt has created a ticking time bomb. Estimates put the economic impact of obesity in the UK at £58billion a year and by 2040 four in 10 will be obese.

The Department for Education said: "Good nutrition is important to make sure children get the right amount of nutrients they need while they are growing rapidly (and) don't consume too much food, which may lead them to become overweight or obese."