United Kingdom: England is set to introduce major changes to school food standards, including a ban on deep-fried food, more fresh fruit and vegetables and greater use of fibre and wholegrains in school meals.
The new standards, described by the government as the biggest shake-up of school dinners in more than a decade, will come into effect from 2027. Breakfast clubs will also have to follow nutrition standards for the first time, while schools will be required to publish their food policies and menus online.
Under the new rules, deep-fried chips will have to be oven-baked. Pasta dishes will need to be made with at least 50 percent wholewheat once a week, while high-fibre bread will become a requirement. The government said the changes are aimed at improving children’s nutrition, tackling childhood obesity and supporting concentration, learning and wellbeing.
Sweet desserts such as cake will also be reduced. Secondary schools will be allowed to offer them twice a week instead of regularly, while primary schools will offer them once a week. Desserts must also be served with a portion of fruit. Processed meats, including ham, sausages and chicken nuggets, will be limited to once a week and served with vegetables or fruit.
Breakfast clubs will face new requirements from next September. Pastries and fried eggs will be removed from menus, while cereals will be subject to a sugar limit. The government said products such as Coco Pops will no longer be permitted and chocolate spread will also be excluded.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell described the measures as ‘once-in-a-generation changes’ intended to transform school food across the country. Since February, 1,250 schools have offered free breakfast clubs, with the government planning to expand access while applying the new nutrition standards.
The Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the changes but warned that schools would need additional investment in catering facilities and professional development for chefs. General secretary Pepe Di’Iasio said parents would be reassured by healthier meals but urged the government not to turn enforcement into another burden for head teachers.
Schools Minister Georgia Gould said schools would have a year to implement the changes and that the government was determined to help schools redesign menus within existing budgets. At Oasis Academy Blakenhale in Birmingham, principal Farzana Ahmed said healthier hot meals could support children while also easing financial pressure on families.
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