Unhealthy Food Options Remain Common in England’s Secondary Schools
New research suggests many secondary schools in England continue to offer crisps, chocolate, pastries and processed foods more often than school food standards allow.
Many secondary schools are still falling short on healthy food standards
The food available to pupils in secondary schools across England is once again under scrutiny, after new research found that many schools continue to offer unhealthy options more frequently than permitted under current school food standards.
An analysis of 391 state secondary schools found that around three quarters had at least one food item that did not comply with the rules. The findings have raised concerns about the quality of food available to children during the school day and the extent to which existing standards are being followed.
The research was carried out by Bite Back, a food charity founded by chef Jamie Oliver. It found that pupils in many schools can still buy foods such as crisps, chocolate, pastries, hash browns and processed meat products regularly.
The findings come as the government prepares to introduce updated school food standards, with greater emphasis on nutritious foods and tighter restrictions on products high in fat, sugar and salt.
Crisps, chocolate and pastries among foods being sold
One of the most striking findings concerns snacks.
Under existing school food standards, snacks sold to pupils are generally expected to include healthier choices such as fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. However, the research found that more than 200 schools were selling foods high in fat, sugar or salt, including crisps, chocolate and pastries.
In some cases, these products were available throughout the school day, including at breakfast.
This has prompted questions about whether school environments are making it easy for children to choose nutritious food or instead encouraging them towards convenient, highly processed alternatives.
For pupils, the issue is not simply about individual food choices. School is where many children eat at least one meal every weekday, meaning the food environment can play an important role in shaping everyday eating habits.
Hash browns and processed meat also appear too often
The research also highlighted concerns about how frequently certain hot food items are served.
Fried starchy foods, including hash browns, are supposed to be limited to twice a week. However, the analysis found that hash browns were available more frequently at 144 of the schools surveyed.
Processed and other meat products were another concern. A total of 224 schools, equivalent to 57 per cent of those analysed, were found to provide foods such as burgers, chicken nuggets, sausages and goujons more frequently than the permitted twice-weekly limit.
These findings suggest that the problem extends beyond snacks and vending-style food. Some schools may also be struggling to ensure that their main meal choices consistently meet the required nutritional standards.
Free school meal pupils face additional concerns
The availability of less nutritious grab-and-go food is particularly important for pupils who rely on free school meals.
A separate Bite Back survey of 2,000 students found that 56 per cent of children receiving free school meals relied on grab-and-go options such as pizza, pastries, crisps and sugary drinks for their school lunch. This compared with 36 per cent of pupils who did not receive free school meals.
The figures highlight a potential inequality in access to nutritious school food.
Grab-and-go options can be attractive to pupils because they are quick and convenient. Long queues and limited lunch breaks may encourage students to choose packaged sandwiches, pizza, pastries or other foods that can be eaten quickly rather than waiting for a traditional school meal.
However, only around one in three students surveyed said grab-and-go school food provided enough energy.
For pupils, the quality of food available at school can therefore affect more than their lunchtime experience. Food choices can influence how satisfied and energised they feel during afternoon lessons.
Pupils want better food choices
The research also highlights the importance of listening to students themselves.
One pupil described the grab-and-go section as the busiest part of the school at lunchtime because students wanted to avoid long queues and losing valuable free time. The range of packaged sandwiches, pizza slices, paninis and fizzy drinks was described as becoming repetitive and unappealing over time.
The criticism that school food can be "beige, bland and boring" is significant because healthy food does not necessarily have to mean unpopular food.
Schools face the challenge of providing meals and snacks that are nutritious, affordable, appealing and practical to serve within busy school environments.
Increasing the availability of fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses could help create a wider choice for pupils, particularly if these foods are presented in ways that are convenient and attractive.
Government plans to strengthen school food standards
The findings arrive at a time when ministers are preparing to overhaul school food standards in England.
The proposed changes are expected to increase the availability of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses while placing further restrictions on foods and drinks that are high in sugar and other less desirable nutrients.
The government has also indicated that it intends to strengthen enforcement.
According to the Department for Education, schools will be expected to publish their food policies and menus online. This would give parents greater visibility over what their children are being offered during the school day.
A stronger enforcement system could also make it easier to identify schools that are not meeting the required standards.
Why healthy school food matters
School food is an important part of the wider conversation around children's health.
Children spend a significant proportion of their week in school, and for some pupils, school meals represent an important source of daily nutrition. Making healthier choices readily available can therefore support good eating habits while helping children understand the importance of a balanced diet.
However, improving school food is unlikely to be as simple as banning individual products.
Schools have to work within budgets, staffing constraints, kitchen facilities and pupils' preferences. Food also needs to be affordable and accessible, particularly for families facing financial pressure.
A successful approach will therefore need to combine clear standards with effective monitoring, adequate resources and food that pupils actually want to eat.
A need for consistency across England
One of the biggest concerns raised by the latest findings is inconsistency.
If some schools provide nutritious meals while others regularly sell foods that breach existing standards, pupils' access to healthy food can depend heavily on where they attend school.
This creates what campaigners have described as a postcode lottery.
The proposed changes to school food standards could provide an opportunity to address that inconsistency. But new rules will only make a difference if schools understand them, have the resources to implement them and face meaningful consequences when standards are repeatedly ignored.
Greater transparency could also give parents a stronger role. Publishing menus online would allow families to see what food is being offered and potentially raise concerns with schools where necessary.
What could healthier school food look like?
Improving school food does not mean removing choice or making every meal identical.
Instead, schools could focus on making nutritious options easier and more appealing to choose. Fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrain foods, pulses and balanced hot meals can sit alongside practical options for pupils who have limited time at lunchtime.
Schools could also consider how food is displayed, how quickly pupils can access meals and whether healthier options are as convenient as less nutritious alternatives.
The goal should be to create an environment where the healthier choice is also an easy choice.
Conclusion
The latest findings suggest that many secondary schools in England still have work to do when it comes to meeting school food standards.
With crisps, chocolate, pastries, fried foods and processed meat appearing too frequently in some schools, campaigners are calling for stronger action to protect children's health.
The government's planned overhaul of school food standards could represent an important opportunity to improve the quality and consistency of food served to pupils. However, the success of any new rules will depend on effective enforcement and practical support for schools.
Ultimately, children should have access to food at school that supports their health, concentration and wellbeing. Improving school meals and snacks is not simply about changing menus. It is about creating a healthier food environment for the next generation.
Sources
- The Independent, published 24 August 2026.
- Bite Back, research and campaigning on school food standards and children's food environments.
- Department for Education, government information on proposed changes to school food standards in England.