It seems these days that fast food complaints are frequently finding themselves on Ofcom�s menu. So, it�s hardly surprising that Jamie Oliver has been the subject of a number of complaints with his show Jamie�s School Dinners. The 9pm, Channel 4, show attempted to change the eating habits of children to be more healthy and less junk orientated. However, it�s not the vomit inducing scenes of precisely what goes into your fast food chicken nugget that is upsetting viewers, but instead, the strong language Oliver used to emphasise it.

Whilst the television show attracted 5 million viewers and even managed to get childrens school dinners reviewed by the UK government, a handful of parents complained about the use of gratuitous language even though the show was broadcast post watershed. Channel 4 defended the show, one of its biggest ratings hits for this year. They said �At no time did Jamie use strong language in the presence of children at any of the schools he worked with� and further argued, �the programmes were therefore scheduled appropriately, post-watershed and clear warnings were given to viewers alerting them to the strong language�.

Ofcom justified their decision with, �While we have some reservations about the editorial justification for the use of some of the strongest language, we note that audience figures for the series indicate that the child audience was not significant and consider that, on balance, the programmes did not breach the code.�

However, even though Ofcom has quashed the complaints, Jamie Oliver could do with taking note of his viewers. If he wants to really help children change their eating habits, he should perhaps lay off the strong language that prevents them from watching his shows. There is nothing like seeing the content of a chicken nugget to put you off it.

Camilla Chafer