According to Government, surveys show that many children eat too much sugar and not enough fibre, fruit and vegetables. Subject to Parliamentary approval, a number of updated school food standards will come into force from September 2027, reflecting the latest Government dietary recommendations.

The updated guidance will be designed with the aim to help schools provide healthier food and drinks, support children to develop healthy eating habits and ensure school meals meet dietary recommendations set out by the scientific advisory committee on nutrition (SACN).

The proposed changes would increase the amount of fibre, fruit and vegetables offered, reduce foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt, introduce new breakfast standards and phase in some secondary school requirements from September 2028.

Consultation with public influences Government response

Under the new legislation, every main meal must comprise a starchy carbohydrate, a protein and vegetables or salad. Only savoury foods that are part of a meal or meet the requirements for snacks may be sold during the school day, while menus must comply with the food frequency requirements set out in the new standards.

Starchy carbohydrates must form the basis of the breakfast offer and any items not included in the breakfast standards are not permitted. Government went on to say that the school food standards would not apply to food provided for celebrations, fundraising events, rewards, cooking activities or food occasionally brought in by parents or pupils.

All pasta dishes served on at least one day of the week must contain a minimum of 50% wholewheat pasta. Additionally, deep-fried foods will no longer be permitted under the new guidelines, and limits on pastry products, breadcrumb-coasted foods and processed meats will be retained and clarified, with no more than two portions from this group served across the week.

Cheese will be added to the protein food group, reflecting the nutritional contribution it can make, said Government. However, its use as a main ingredient will continue to be limited to manage saturated fat and salt, encourage variety in protein sources, and avoid cheese becoming the default route for meeting vegetarian or protein requirements.

Guidance also detailed how schools should publish their school food policies and menus online to “strengthen accountability” and improve compliance.

“We want to see school food standards that are effective in practice, and schools appropriately supported to meet them.”

Education Secretary Lucy Powell commented: “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. 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.”

Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), stated: “The FSA welcomes the Department for Education’s commitment in the 10-year health plan to update the School Food Standards, and we fully support the ambition to ensure children can access healthier food in schools.

“We want to see school food standards that are effective in practice, and schools appropriately supported to meet them. That’s why we’ve been working closely with DfE, offering our expertise on food regulation, assurance and the practical considerations involved in implementation.

“Our aim is to help shape a future approach that is practical, proportionate and deliverable, and we look forward to continuing to work with DfE to ensure every school is offering pupils food that meets the nutritional standards.”

Anna Taylor, executive director of The Food Foundation, said: “Today marks another massive step on the journey to improve children’s health across the country. Good school food standards are critical to making that happen and the School Food Project is there to help schools train up their kitchen teams and work with pupils to improve menus. This all needs to be underpinned by a robust approach to monitoring and supporting schools to improve.

“Over the coming year, in the run-up to enforcement in September 2027, parents and children can expect to start seeing real improvements. Every child deserves the best possible start in life – and that means school food that packs a nutritional punch while bringing genuine pleasure and wellbeing to every child’s mealtime.”