New School Meal Standards to Ban Deep-Fried Foods and Limit Sugar
Deep-fried foods will be prohibited and high-sugar items restricted in schools across England under new government plans aimed at overhauling school dinners.
The proposals include replacing sugar-laden treats with fruit for most of the school week, and banning unhealthy "grab and go" options such as sausage rolls and pizza from daily availability.
The Association of School and College Leaders expressed support for improving school food quality but emphasized that additional funding to cover the changes would be "essential."
The Liberal Democrats highlighted the need for school meal funding to keep pace with rising costs, while Reform UK criticized the government for "trying to micromanage people's lives." The Green Party welcomed the move, calling it "long overdue."
The Department for Education (DfE) stated that these changes will provide millions of children with healthier, more nutritious meals daily.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the initiative as "the most ambitious overhaul of school food in a generation."
"Every child deserves to have delicious, nutritious food at school that gives them the energy to concentrate, learn and thrive," she said.
Currently, over one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese, and tooth decay caused by high-sugar diets is the leading reason for hospital admissions among children aged five to nine, according to the DfE.
Under the new regulations, sweetened desserts will be limited to once per week, and school menus will be required to include more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
This marks the first revision of school food standards in a decade, after previous plans were delayed due to the pandemic. The updated standards will apply to both primary and secondary schools in England as part of efforts to enhance children's health and nutrition.
Government Officials and Stakeholders Respond
Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey told BBC Breakfast that the government hopes the plans will "kickstart a transformation of school food."
"We want to reduce sugar, increase fibre, and get rid of some of the really unhealthy foods like deep-fat-fried food," Bailey said.
She added that schools will be required to publish menus online and stressed that the plans do not necessarily entail higher costs, stating,
"I don't think healthier food has to be more expensive food for schools."
Brad Pearce, national chair of the School Food People, welcomed the government's review but called for the standards to be "monitored and funded appropriately."
The government has announced a nine-week consultation period on the proposals. Secondary schools will implement some changes gradually to allow time for recipe development, menu updates, and staff training.
The final school food standards will be announced in September and will take effect from September 2027.
A "robust" enforcement system will be established to ensure schools comply with the new standards, including monitoring adherence.
Previous standards introduced in 2015 included requirements for fruit and vegetables, limits on sugar in drinks, and a focus on wholegrain foods instead of refined carbohydrates such as white bread or pasta. However, some head teachers have expressed concerns that these standards are not always followed, often due to cost constraints.
Free School Meals and Breakfast Clubs Expansion
In addition to the food standards, any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals starting September 2026. This change, announced last year, is expected to make 500,000 more children eligible.
The DfE also announced the opening of over 500 new free breakfast clubs this week. Funding for these clubs has increased from 60p to £1 per pupil following concerns raised by schools about costs.
Last summer, the School Food People called for increased government funding for free school meals to prevent schools from having to supplement costs from their core budgets.
A 2025 survey of its members indicated that the actual cost of providing a meal is approximately £3.45, about 80p higher than the £2.61 currently allocated to schools for free school meals in England.
Reactions from Education Leaders and Political Parties
Tom Middlehurst of the Association of School and College Leaders stated,
"Improving the quality of school food is something we wholeheartedly support. The changes must be implemented in a practical way, including with additional funding to pay for any increased costs."
Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrats' education spokesperson, said,
"The government needs to ensure that free school meals funding matches the rising costs, ensuring every child receives a healthy and filling meal essential for their education.
From talking to parents, head teachers and school governors in my constituency, I know that many are worried about the rising cost of food, and in many cases the current funding just isn't enough, forcing schools to provide smaller portion sizes and poorer quality food.
The education secretary must urgently address this problem."
A Reform UK spokesperson criticized the plans, stating,
"These plans are yet another example of the government trying to micromanage people's lives. Banning foods from school menus won't solve childhood obesity. It just removes choice and adds pressure on already stretched schools. We should be focusing on education, personal responsibility, and ensuring families can afford healthy food, not headline-grabbing bans."
A Green Party spokesperson commented,
"Removing unhealthy food from school menus is welcome and long overdue.
We believe free healthy school meals should be offered to all primary and secondary pupils, not just infants.
Real change also means tackling the root causes of the 14% of households facing food insecurity – the cost of living and low pay.
Greens also want to see our food and farming system transformed so it prioritises affordable, healthy food with fair wages for growers."
has reached out to the Conservative Party for comment.
Variations in Free School Meal Provision Across the UK
Provision of free school meals varies significantly across the United Kingdom.
In London and Wales, universal free school meals are offered to all primary school children up to Year 6.
While the funding rate for most of England is £2.61 per meal, London schools receive a higher rate of £3, and in Wales, the rate is £3.40.
In Scotland, all children in the first five years of primary school are eligible for free school meals, as well as children from families receiving the Scottish Child Payment benefit.
In Northern Ireland, parents can apply for free school meals if they receive certain benefits and have an income below £15,000.
