New rules will see fatty and sweet foods taken off menus in Scottish primary schools from August this year.

Under the new regulations primary schools will offer at least two portions of fruit and vegetables at lunchtime and provide free drinking water to pupils throughout the day. Deep fried food will be limited to three items each week while sweets and fizzy drinks will disappear from schools. Chips will be served within a healthy, nutritional meal according to the guidelines.

The new nutritional guidelines for schools, being introduced in Parliament this week follows advice from nutrition, child health, dental and education experts, to Ministers.

The legislation will come into force this August in primary schools and from August 2009 in secondary schools, allowing for a more phased transition.

Minister for Schools and Skills, Maureen Watt said:

"Putting healthy options on a plate for pupils every day will develop their taste for the food that's good for them and stop unhealthy habits from taking hold.

"That means they benefit on a daily basis and for the rest of their lives."