Sweetened baked treats served to school pupils face major cutbacks as part of the first overhaul of school food guidelines in over ten years. Under the new measures designed to combat tooth decay and youth obesity, any permitted desserts must either contain or be served alongside fruit.
The initiative coincides with all pupils in England from families on universal credit becoming eligible for free school meals. Guidelines published by the Department for Education (DfE) will curb deep-fried products alongside sugary items including ice cream, waffles, and sweetened drinks. Furthermore, limits will be placed on foods heavy in salt and fat, such as sausages and pizzas.
Canteen menus must feature high-fibre options like pulses—including chickpeas and lentils—and wholegrains alongside main dishes at least once a week. Additionally, every main meal must incorporate or be accompanied by a portion of salad or vegetables. To ensure compliance, schools will be expected to make their menus and nutritional strategies accessible online.
Educational institutions will also need to designate a school food governor tasked with holding the school to account over its meals.
The DfE plans to collaborate with the Food Standards Agency on an oversight framework, with further specifics expected in the coming months. A September survey of more than 1,400 senior leaders and headteachers in English state primary and secondary schools—conducted by Teacher Tapp for School Food Matters—revealed that 68 per cent felt independent inspections would make the rules more effective.
While the updated regulations take effect next September, secondary institutions have been granted until September 2028 to implement certain adjustments. Currently, around one in three children leave primary education carrying excess weight or classified as obese, and dental decay remains the primary reason children aged five to nine are admitted to hospital.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: “These are once-in-a-generation changes that will transform school food for children across the country.
“From our historic expansion of free school meals to the rollout of free breakfast clubs and new school food standards, we are making sure that every child has access to the healthy meals we know children need to learn, grow and succeed.
“No child should spend the school day hungry, and no family should have to struggle to put food on the table. This is what change looks like: healthier food, fuller stomachs and a fairer start for every child.”
Teaching unions have cautioned that implementing these requirements will demand extra financial backing for schools.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, 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.”
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “If the government is serious about them working in practice it must provide significant additional funding to reflect the real costs of school meals, which these new requirements are likely to increase.
“Many schools already have to raid stretched core budgets for staffing and the curriculum to subsidise the costs.”
He also warned that checks must avoid placing “additional burdens” on leaders who are “already over-stretched”.
The reforms have earned endorsement from chef Jamie Oliver and actress Dame Emma Thompson.
Describing it as a “brilliant day” following 25 years of advocacy, Oliver said: “Back 20-plus years ago when I started School Dinners I could not believe that we had standards for dog food but not what we serve our children at school.
“And I’ve never stopped banging that drum.
“So it’s brilliant to see new school food standards based on the latest science, to make sure the food children get at school is actually supporting their health and helping them thrive.
“And that those standards won’t just live on paper, but have proper monitoring to make sure they’re followed, so we know where we need to deploy care, love and support.”
Dame Emma, campaigning for the Food Foundation charity, said: “This is a milestone worth celebrating and an investment in a healthier future for the next generation.”
Criticising the reforms, Conservatives claimed there were “much bigger things on the nation’s plate”.
Matt Vickers, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Our Armed Forces are crumbling, but Andy Burnham has decided his priority is taking pudding off the menu.
“The only thing wobblier than Andy Burnham’s defence policy is the jelly he’s trying to ban.”
