Pastizzi (cheesecakes) and sausage rolls are among items that have been banned by education authorities from Christmas parties in schools.

A circular issued by the Curriculum Department ‘Learning throughout life and employability’ to all the heads of the college schools at Primary and Secondary Levels excludes the two items from the list of food permitted at the festivities.

As from this year, students are allowed to eat toasted bread with dips, small tuna rolls, small portions of baked macaroni, pizza with mozzarella topped with chicken or tuna or mushrooms or peas.

Salted popcorn is also banned from the list, while mozzarella kebabs with tomatoes and low-fat cheese could be on the menu.

As dessert children may eat fruit, apple cupcakes, unsalted carrots, one-bite yeast rings and bread pudding.

Soft drinks have also been prohibited, while water, milkshake with fresh fruit, cinnamon spiced white milk, warm milk with a limited amount of chocolate powder without sugar are accepted.