Deep-fried food to be banned from school canteens with sausage rolls, pizza and chips subject of food overhaul
The government is to announce the first update of school food standards in England in 13 years, aimed at tackling childhood obesity and tooth decay.
Deep-fried food will be banned from school menus and sugary treats strictly limited as part of the most sweeping overhaul of school food standards in England in more than a decade.
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Desserts like ice cream and waffles, and baked goods such as puddings and cakes, will be served only once a week and need to contain at least 50% fruit.
Sir Keir Starmer will promote the plans “supporting better health for the future” on a visit to Greater Manchester on Monday.
Schools will no longer be able to offer unhealthy “grab and go” options such as sausage rolls and pizza every day, and deep-fried food will be eliminated from menus entirely.
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The Department for Education (DfE) says the changes will ensure millions of children will get healthier, more nutritious meals at school each day as a result.
Fruit will need to be served most of the week instead of sugary treats, with sample menus including mains such as cottage pie with root-and-veg mash, Mexican-style burritos, jerk chicken with rice and peas and spaghetti bolognese.
Dishes must be accompanied by one or more portions of vegetables and salad, and sides cooked using fat or oil, such as chips and hash browns, will be capped at twice a week. Breadcrumb or batter-coated dishes such as fish fingers will still be permitted once a week.
Each school must publish their menus online to help boost compliance as part of the proposals, which are being put to a nine-week consultation starting on Monday.
However, a “phased” approach is being proposed for secondary schools, allowing them to offer two portions of desserts or sweet treats a week from September next year, reducing to one by 2028.
The Prime Minister said: “We’re improving the quality of food served in schools so parents can count on their children getting healthy meals.
“This is about easing the cost of living today and supporting better health for the future.”
The first new standards since 2014 will aim to increase fibre intake by ensuring more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains are on offer and have been developed with help from health experts and nutritionists.
Backed by actress Dame Emma Thompson, Leon co-founder Henry Dimbleby and chef Tom Kerridge, they will apply to all breakfasts and lunches served in schools, the Department for Education said.
The Liberal Democrats said funding for school meals needed to match rising costs, while Reform UK accused the government of "trying to micromanage people's lives".
Elsewhere, the Green Party said cutting unhealthy food from school menus was "welcome and long overdue".
Around one in three children leaves primary school overweight or obese, while tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for youngsters aged five to nine.
Chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver said school food was “the UK’s most important restaurant chain” and offers a “massive opportunity to improve health at scale”.
“My Good School Food Awards prove that world-class meals are possible right now, and every child deserves that same quality,” he said.
“So, I’m delighted this Government is now updating and enforcing these standards.”
Alongside the new rules, any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be able to claim free school meals from September 2026, with around 500,000 more children eligible for the scheme.
Sir Keir's visit to Greater Manchester coincides with the doubling of breakfast clubs across the region, with the launch of 33 new clubs this week, providing 10,000 more children with a free morning meal.
It comes as 500 new free breakfast clubs will also open this week, the Department for Education confirmed.