Deep-fried food banned in new plans for school dinners
Deep-fried Foods to Be Excluded from School Meals in England
England’s government is set to implement sweeping changes to school meal policies, including the removal of deep-fried items and restrictions on high-sugar foods. These updates aim to improve the nutritional quality of school lunches, with fruit replacing sugary snacks as the main offering for most school days. Schools will no longer be permitted to provide daily “grab and go” options such as sausage rolls and pizza, according to new proposals.
The Association of School and College Leaders has expressed support for enhancing school food standards but emphasized the necessity of additional funding to sustain the reforms. Meanwhile, Reform UK criticized the government for attempting to “micromanage people’s lives,” while the Green Party called the shift “welcome and long overdue.” The Department for Education (DfE) claims the changes will lead to healthier, more nutritious meals for millions of children daily.
Current statistics highlight the urgency of these reforms: over a third of primary school children are classified as overweight or obese, and tooth decay caused by sugary diets ranks as the top reason for hospital admissions among children aged five to nine. Under the proposed rules, sweetened desserts will be limited to once a week, with a focus on increasing fruit, vegetable, and wholegrain offerings in school menus.
These adjustments mark the first significant updates to school food standards in ten years, delayed by the pandemic. They will apply to primary and secondary schools nationwide, with secondary institutions adopting a phased rollout to allow time for recipe development, menu updates, and staff training. The final standards will be unveiled in September 2025 and take effect from September 2027.
A robust enforcement system will be established to ensure compliance with the new guidelines. Previous standards introduced in 2015 included requirements for fruits and vegetables, sugar limits in drinks, and a preference for wholegrain foods over refined carbohydrates like white bread. However, some head teachers noted challenges in adhering to these rules due to rising costs.
Expanded Free Meal Access and Breakfast Clubs
Starting in September 2026, children in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals, a change expected to benefit 500,000 more students. Additionally, over 500 new free breakfast clubs will open this week, with funding per pupil increased from 60p to £1 to address cost concerns.
“Improving school food quality is something we wholeheartedly support,” said Tom Middlehurst of the Association of School and College Leaders. “The changes must be implemented in a practical way, including with additional funding to cover increased costs.”
Brad Pearce of the School Food People welcomed the government’s review but urged proper monitoring and funding. A 2025 survey by the group revealed the real cost of preparing a meal is around £3.45—about 80p more than the £2.61 allocated to schools for free meals. Munira Wilson of the Liberal Democrats stressed the need for funding to keep pace with rising expenses, ensuring meals remain both healthy and substantial for students.
“The education secretary must urgently address this problem,” Wilson added. “Parents, head teachers, and school governors are all concerned about the growing cost of food and how it impacts meal quality.”
The government has launched a nine-week consultation to gather feedback on the proposals, signaling a commitment to refining the approach before finalizing the new standards. While critics argue the measures may not fully tackle childhood obesity, proponents believe they are a critical step toward fostering healthier eating habits among young people.
