Tomato ketchup is the latest foodstuff to be banned from canteens at some schools as part of a move towards healthier eating.

The condiment is no longer on the menu at primary schools in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales.

It follows hot on the heels of Marmite which made the news after Ceredigion Council, in Mid Wales, banned the spread from its school breakfast clubs because of "a high level of salt".

Sharon Chapman, 47, whose eight-year-old son Rory attends Peterston-Super-Ely Primary School, in the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "He came home from school and said 'We can't have ketchup any more'.

"He can live without it and the healthy meals at the school are fantastic, but this seems one step too far as they only used to have it once a week on a burger anyway. Now he says the burger is really dry.

"Tomato ketchup contains lycopene, which is good for you, but they say it's got a high level of salt and sugar."

She added: "While it's not something you complain about, it seems a bit daft."

Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Gordon Kemp said: "The policy is not to use mass-produced foods, we produce everything fresh on the premises.

"It's all part of the healthy eating programme and I think our council is one of the leading authorities in Wales in this respect."

Mary Hesford, business manager for Vale Catering Services which provides the primary schools' menu, said they follow guidelines from the Welsh Assembly Government.

She said: "Children can have a tomato sauce but now it's one our cooks make themselves. By using home-made sauce we can control what nutrients are in there.

"Ketchup bought in bottles can have high levels of salt and sugar that could be damaging for the children."

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