England is planning a major shake-up of school dinners, with deep-fried food banned and sugary options sharply reduced under new nutrition rules aimed at tackling childhood obesity and poor dental health.
The government has launched plans to overhaul the School Food Standards for the first time in more than a decade, saying millions of pupils will benefit from healthier, more balanced meals.
Under the proposals, foods that are high in sugar or deep-fried will be taken off school menus in England, in response to concerns that one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese, and that tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among five- to nine-year-olds, according to the BBC.
Ministers say the changes are part of a wider push to improve children's health and learning, as eating well at school is linked to better wellbeing and classroom performance.
Under the new standards, schools will no longer be allowed to serve deep-fried food at all, replacing items such as chips and fried chicken with meals that are baked, grilled, or steamed.
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Popular "grab and go" options, including sausage rolls and pizza, will not be available every day, with tighter limits designed to reduce foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.
Desserts high in sugar will also be restricted, with proposals outlining that sweet treats should be offered less often, and fruit should be served instead for most of the school week. At the same time, schools will be expected to increase servings of fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains in both breakfasts and lunches.
The plans are being developed with nutritionists and public health experts, and will go out to a nine-week public consultation before final rules are confirmed, the Independent reported.
Officials say a new national enforcement system will monitor whether schools follow the standards, with full enforcement expected from September 2027 and a phased timetable for secondary schools to give kitchens time to adapt.
The changes sit alongside an expansion of free school meals for children in families on Universal Credit from September 2026, which ministers say will help more pupils access healthy food during the school day.
Health campaigners and charities have largely welcomed the proposals, describing them as a long-awaited step to improve school food and support families facing rising health problems.
Some groups, however, are expected to use the consultation period to push for strong enforcement and support for schools with tight budgets and limited kitchen facilities. Parents are also likely to scrutinize how favorite items are replaced and whether healthier menus will still appeal to pupils, as per Sustain Web.
