New School Food Rules in England: Fried Foods Banned and Sugary Treats Restricted

Schools across England are set to make significant changes to the food served to pupils under a new set of government standards designed to encourage healthier eating and tackle childhood health problems.

The updated rules will place tighter limits on fried and highly processed foods while encouraging schools to serve more vegetables, wholegrains and pulses. Desserts and sugary products will also face new restrictions.

The changes represent the biggest update to school food standards in more than a decade and are intended to improve the nutritional quality of meals available to children during the school day.

What will change on school menus?

One of the most notable changes is the planned removal of deep-fried foods from school menus. Foods such as traditional deep-fried chips will no longer be offered under the new standards.

Other foods that are high in fat or salt, including some pizzas and sausages, will also be subject to restrictions. The aim is not simply to remove particular dishes, but to encourage schools to offer healthier alternatives that provide greater nutritional value.

Schools will also be expected to increase the amount of plant-based food appearing on their menus.

Lentils and chickpeas, for example, will need to feature at least once each week. These foods are rich in fibre and can provide important sources of protein and other nutrients.

Vegetables or salad will also need to accompany, or form part of, every main meal. This requirement is intended to make fruit and vegetables a normal part of children's everyday school lunches rather than an occasional addition.

Desserts and sugary products face tighter controls

The new standards also target foods and drinks containing large amounts of sugar.

Sugary drinks will be restricted, while products such as ice cream and waffles will be offered less frequently. Puddings will also have to meet new requirements involving fruit, either by containing fruit or being served alongside it.

The changes reflect wider concerns about children's diets and the role that schools can play in establishing healthy eating habits.

School meals are particularly important for children who rely heavily on food provided during the school day. For some pupils, a school lunch may represent one of the most substantial meals they receive.

By improving the nutritional balance of those meals, policymakers hope to support children's health while also helping them develop eating habits that can continue into adulthood.

Why are the rules being introduced?

Childhood obesity is one of the major health concerns behind the reforms.

According to figures cited in reporting on the new standards, around one in three children are leaving primary school overweight or living with obesity. Excess weight during childhood can increase the risk of health problems later in life, making prevention an important public health priority.

Dental health is another concern.

Tooth decay remains a significant problem among children and can result in hospital treatment. Reducing children's exposure to excessive amounts of sugar is therefore being viewed as part of a broader effort to improve their health.

The government says the new approach is intended to ensure that school meals are both nutritious and appealing, rather than simply focusing on removing popular foods.

That balance could prove important. If healthier meals are introduced but children regularly refuse to eat them, the nutritional benefits may be limited.

More accountability for schools

The reforms will also introduce greater transparency around school food.

Schools will be expected to publish their menus and food policies online, giving parents an opportunity to see what children are being served.

Schools will also be expected to nominate a food governor. This person will have responsibility for helping oversee the quality of food provision and ensuring that the school meets the relevant expectations.

Greater transparency could make it easier for parents to raise concerns or compare the food available at different schools.

It may also encourage schools to view food provision as an important part of the wider educational environment rather than simply a catering service.

When will the new standards take effect?

Schools will not have to make all the changes immediately.

The new measures are scheduled to come into force from August 2027. Secondary schools will have additional time to implement some of the requirements, with a deadline extending into September 2028.

The timing is intended to give schools and catering providers an opportunity to prepare their menus, review contracts and adjust their food purchasing arrangements.

The government has also linked the reforms to changes in free school meal eligibility. From the same period, all children in England from households receiving universal credit are expected to become eligible for free school meals.

That could increase the number of children eating school-provided food, making the quality and affordability of those meals an even more important issue.

Support and criticism

The proposed changes have received support from campaigners and public figures who have long argued for improvements to children's diets.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who has campaigned for healthier school food for many years, welcomed the introduction of updated standards and said they were based on the latest scientific evidence.

Dame Emma Thompson, who has worked with the Food Foundation, also described the reforms as an important step towards creating a healthier future for children.

However, the plans have also attracted criticism.

School leaders and unions have warned that better standards will require adequate funding. Providing healthier meals can involve additional costs, particularly when schools are already dealing with pressure on their budgets.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has argued that existing funding for free school meals is insufficient to cover costs in many schools.

This raises an important question about implementation. Setting nutritional standards is one thing, but ensuring schools have the money, staff and facilities needed to meet them is another.

What could the changes mean for children?

The impact of the new rules will ultimately depend on how successfully schools put them into practice.

A healthier menu could expose children to a wider variety of foods, including vegetables, wholegrains and pulses that they may not regularly eat at home.

There could also be benefits beyond nutrition. A balanced meal can provide children with the energy and nutrients they need during the school day, potentially supporting concentration and wellbeing.

At the same time, schools will need to make sure healthier food remains attractive to pupils.

Removing familiar foods without providing appealing alternatives could create resistance among children. Successful implementation is therefore likely to depend on good cooking, varied menus and involving pupils in discussions about what they enjoy eating.

The reforms also highlight a wider debate about the responsibility of schools in shaping children's health.

Schools cannot solve childhood obesity or poor diets on their own. Families, food manufacturers, retailers, local authorities and governments all have roles to play.

Nevertheless, because children spend a large part of their day at school, the meals provided there offer an important opportunity to encourage healthier choices.

A significant shift in school catering

England's new school food standards signal a move towards making healthier eating a more consistent part of children's education.

Deep-fried foods will be removed, sugary products will be restricted, and vegetables, wholegrains and pulses will receive greater prominence.

The reforms are ambitious, but their success will depend on practical implementation. Schools will need sufficient funding, suitable catering arrangements and menus that children actually want to eat.

If those challenges can be addressed, the changes could have an influence well beyond the lunch hall. They could help children become more familiar with nutritious foods and establish healthier habits that continue throughout their lives.

For parents, pupils and school leaders, the coming years will show whether the new standards can turn ambitious nutritional goals into meals that are affordable, appealing and genuinely beneficial for children.

Source

Sky News published on 14 September 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is a summary for informational purposes. Policies and implementation dates may change, so readers should consult official government guidance for the latest requirements.