This lunchbox was deemed too unhealthy but can you spot the offending item?

Can you spot it?

child with lunchbox

A mum has taken to Facebook to share a picture of her son's lunchbox, which was returned home as it was deemed too unhealthy - but can you spot why?

Thinking of packed lunch ideas can be a very tricky task.

It's easy to fall into the trap of having the same old sandwiches and it's even harder when you have to come up with healthy lunch options.

So when this mum sent her two-year-old son to school with a packed lunch including sliced peppers, cucumber, cheese, crackers, hummus and sandwiches, she was surprised that it was sent back for being too unhealthy.

Despite all the healthy snacks, she revealed the three mini cookies meant this lunchbox was deemed unacceptable by the school and parents are outraged.

The mum explained: 'I sent my 2.5 yr old son to school with this and the cookies got sent home because they’re unhealthy - there was 3 MINI Cookies 🙈.'

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1110273465817383&set=p.1110273465817383&type=3&theater

Replying to the mum's post, one person wrote: 'Looks like you took time and effort to [make] his lunch "fun" and appealing. Absolute rubbish that he wasn’t allowed to get those small cookies. Everything in moderation surely. 😡'.

Fruity oat bars

Need more packed lunch recipe inspiration? You'll love these healthy fruit and oat bars plus loads more!

Another person went as far as to call it 'child abuse': 'What right does a Teacher have to deny a child the food their Parent has provided ? Why does this teacher still have a job ? Child Abuse ! Home school your children if you can. This is deprivation and bullying.'

A third added: 'That looks great and well balanced, my son's drink got sent home because it was fizzy , it was sparkling water 🙈'.

Has your child's lunch ever been sent back for being 'unhealthy'? What item/s meant that it was sent back? How did you kids feel about it? Head over to our Facebook page to share your thoughts and experiences, we'd love to hear from you!

Jessica Ransom
Senior Food Writer

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.