Hywel Griffith BBC Wales education correspondent

Llysfaen Primary School held a taste test for parents of pupils

Cardiff Council has a budget of 40p for the ingredients in its primary school meals - a recent BBC Wales survey showed the average as 48p.

But the county's catering managers say they are confident they provide a healthy, balanced service for pupils.

The issue was prompted by the campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver to improve the state of school dinners.

Cardiff's Head of Catering Sue Eakers said: "There's a lack of confidence at the moment after the Jamie Oliver programme, people are asking is that representative of all the food in the authorities in the UK - the answer is no!".

COUNCIL SPEND ON EACH PRIMARY SCHOOL MEAL IN PENCE Anglesey 48 Blaenau Gwent 42 Bridgend 44 Caerphilly 47 Cardiff 40 Carmarthenshire 51 Ceredigion 66 Conwy 46 Denbighshire 68 Flintshire 50 Gwynedd 45 Merthyr 43 Monmouthshire 42 Neath Port Talbot 46 Newport 42 Pembrokeshire 42 Powys 69 Rhondda Cynon Taf 40 Swansea 46 Torfaen 44 Vale of Glamorgan 46.5 Wrexham 51 Source: BBC Wales

The council has seen hundred of pupils withdrawn from school meals in the last month, and is keen to reassure parents that they offer value for money.

Ms Eakers said: "If we can prove to people that the quality is there, the content is there, and range and the nutrition is there, the argument about the 40p goes away.

"We spend �2m on food every year in Cardiff, and we drive a pretty hard bargain."

On Monday evening parents at Llysfaen Primary School were able to test the school menu for themselves, and question the catering managers.

Karen Williams has two children at the school, who she has withdrawn from school meals. But after tasting the food, she's considering changing her mind.

She said: "I'd taken them out of school dinners because I wasn't happy (after) having watched 'Jamie's School Dinners'. "But having seen this I'd be quite happy to put them back. I'm a vegetarian, and I'm very impressed with the vegetarian options."

Cardiff says it drives 'a hard bargain' on meal ingredients

Other parents were concerned with the amount being spent on ingredients, but were pleased with what was being offered.

"I've tasted the sausages with all the hidden vegetables in," said Jayne Powling, who also has two children at the school. "I thought they were lovely. And I've tasted the pizza, and again I think that's something my children would eat."

Mrs Powling is also considering returning one of her children to school dinners.

"I have one daughter who has just gone on to sandwiches now and I didn't know if it was the best thing for her to do. Looking at the food they're going to be giving them now, I might persuade her to go back to dinners."

The council were quizzed by parents for not always implementing healthy options.

Parents were concerned that only a small slice of apple or six grapes were being offered as part of a Free Fruit initiative. Managers said they would look again at the options available.