Product Registration Program

Introduction

FOCIS developed the registration program in response to the demands from schools for assistance in deciding which foods and beverages to put on their menus. FOCIS believes that it is important to work closely with the food and beverage industry to encourage the development and registration of foods that meet the FOCIS Nutrient Criteria. The registration program makes it easier for schools to identify food and beverage products that meet dietary guidelines and government policy/guidelines. The FOCIS Product Registration program and Nutrient Criteria was first developed in 1998 and is reviewed every three years.

The FOCIS nutrient criteria was reviewed in 2016. FOCIS is pleased to provide a summary report.

Purpose of the FOCIS Nutrient Criteria

FOCIS encourages school canteens to stock a wide variety of tasty, nutritious foods and beverages that contribute to children’s growth and development. For specific advice about the government canteen policy/guidelines in Australia, food industry and canteen representatives are encouraged to contact their State or Territory Canteen Association or Network.

Many menu items are freshly prepared in canteens and managers need to be able source nutritious fresh ingredients to ensure that the prepared items meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines. FOCIS registers both fresh ingredient lines and commercial processed foods that must meet the Nutrient Criteria.

The purpose of the criteria is to enable the identification, registration and formulation of healthier products for the school canteen market.

The FOCIS registration program makes it easier for schools to stock and promote healthier choices of traditional convenience products, e.g. pastries, frankfurters, burger patties, formed vegetable products such as hash browns. Although these types of products may be considered more nutritional choices than their regular counterparts, the majority of them are ‘AMBER’ It is recommended their availability should be limited and that they should only supplement the menu choices, the majority of which should be derived from the core ‘GREEN’ foods.

Only products submitted to FOCIS have been assessed. There is no doubt that there are other foods available in the marketplace that meets the Nutrient Criteria. The assumption should not be made that a food that is not listed does not meet the criteria.

The Database and January 2020 FOCIS Buyers Guide are regularly updated on the website.

News and Events

Whole Grain Week

As part of Whole Grain Week 2023, the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council has developed an on-line recipe book full of delicious ways to increase the whole grains in your diet. The recipes can be download here.
Advocacy and Communications Officer

FOCIS is currently looking for dynamic Advocacy and Communications Officer to join our team. If you would like to be part of an organisation advocating for the role of school food services in creating a whole school approach to healthy food environments, this could be the position for you. This role is for 7.5-10 hours per week and you will work from home, so can be located anywhere in Australia. For more information see our advert on SEEK or contact us on admin@focis.com.au.
Creating a whole school approach to healthy eating

The whole school approach to healthy eating is an evidence based approach that works to develop a healthy food culture in schools that positively impacts the eating habits of students. For more information see this recent article written by FOCIS and published in Education Australia.
Queensland's Best Tuckshop Recipes

Congratulations to Southport State School Tuckshop Convener, Angelique Scarpignato, for winning the 2023 Queensland Tuckshops Recipe of the Year competition with her recipe for Butter Chicken.
More information about the competition and this healthy recipe can be found in a recent article by the Bursar.
Food-EPI Australia reports for all jurisdictions

Deakin University have completed their reports for the Food-EPI Australia 2022 initiative. These are now available online.
The Federal Government report was released first as part of the International Congress on Obesity in October 2022, and the jurisdictional reports progressively released, in conjunction with NGOs in each jurisdiction.
Education Australia - Canteen Food and Beverage

The March edition of Education Australia contains some interesting articles on the importance of children eating a healthy diet at school. This article on School Food Services - providing a nutritious food services to support student learning, is written by the FOCIS Executive. The article discusses the importance of a whole school approach to healthy eating and the role school canteens play in supporting student health and wellbeing and the impact a healthy diet can have on brain development and academic achievement.
There is also an article from Nutrition Australia, ACT's senior dietitian, Leanne Elliston, on how staying well-nourished and hydrated at school impacts students energy and concentration levels.
School lunch boxes should be practical and affordable

The pressure to make the perfect school lunch box is on the rise but with parents busier than ever it is important to remember that healthy lunches do not have to be unwrapped or organic. This article from the ABC shows how Queensland tuckshops are providing healthy affordable lunches that children love to eat.
Fact Sheets and Position Statements

FOCIS has developed a suite of fact sheets and position statements that cover topics such as 'Make money not waste' and 'Sweeteners', check them out today.