School meals shake-up sees deep-fried food banned from 2027
New school food standards, which will be enforced from September 2027, will see deep-fried food banned alongside fruit juices and ice-creams.
As part of the biggest shake-up to school dinners in England in over a decade, fibre and wholegrains will be increased, and breakfast clubs will have to follow nutrition rules for the first time with schools also being monitored.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), welcomed the move but called for the government to support schools with the necessary funding.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of ASCL, said: “The current funding rate for free school meals is not enough to cover costs and many schools have to divert money from teaching and learning in order to afford this vital provision. It is a case of having to rob Peter to pay Paul.
“We hope the government also takes seriously the challenges to nutrition and health beyond the school gates because of the limited access many families have to affordable and healthy food options. This is also a major factor in children’s health and food standards shouldn’t be confined to schools.”
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Additionally, sweet desserts, such as cake, will be reduced from a regular lunch offer to twice a week in secondary schools, and once a week in primary schools. They also must now be served with a portion of fruit.
Servings of processed meats such as ham, sausages and chicken nuggets have been reduced to once a week, and must come with a side of vegetables or fruit.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said theses changes would “transform school food for children across the country”.
Schools will be required to publish food policies and menus online with monitoring arrangements set to be developed alongside the Food Standards Agency.
