The government funded School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) supplies fresh produce to schools for snack times. Unfortunately, the logistics of the scheme mean that there are 6 days a year where fresh is replaced by raisins and sultanas.
Like processed fruit snacks, they are marketed as “natural” with “no added sugar”, teachers, children and caregivers often believe that they are a healthy snack.
They are permitted in some whole school policies allowing them to be brought onto the playground by all pupils as snacks every day, increasing the risk of dental caries.
Tooth extraction as a result of dental decay is the most common reason for hospital admissions in the 5-9 year old age group, costing the NHS over £30 million a year. The majority of children miss at least 2 school days for hospital appointments and recovery, because of this usually preventable disease.
We aim to get 100 Schools and 100 Dental practices linked promoting oral health messages together.
We also want to get 1000 signatures on our petition to make the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme bigger and better in a number of ways.
Started by passionate dental nurse and mum, Jo Dawson, the Raisin Awareness project has gained support from National Dental Bodies who are keen to add their voices to the campaign. We are honoured to have a wealth of expertise and dedicated professionals on the Raisin Awareness Advisory Board.
Raisin Awareness is a project run by Awesome Oral Health CIC. A social enterprise company no 13377041.
Registered office address: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, United Kingdom, WC1N 3AX