Parents should avoid putting processed meats such as ham and salami in kids' lunch boxes, according to nutritionist Claire Turnbull.
The Western Australian School Canteen Association has recently banned the sale of ham and fairy bread in canteens.
Nine News reported the new recommendations classified ham as "red" in its traffic light system.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Turnbull said the reason ham was unhealthy was because it was so highly processed, and had been linked to cancer.
She said there was no ban as such in New Zealand but ham hadn't been recommended as healthy choice for some time.
Turnbull said ham and other processed meats were fine in moderation, for example, she lets her kids have ham on pizza at the weekends.
Asked whether parents should give their children sweet treats at school, Turbull said that depended on the circumstances and the child.
"I do homemade baking for my kids sometimes, and I do give them nut bars sometimes.
"It depends how active your kids are and what's being eaten outside of lunch, there are other meals throughout the day."
Turnbull said leftovers could be a good option, but it was also important to select foods you knew your children would eat, to avoid waste.
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