Deep-fried food banned in new plans for school dinners

Deep-fried food banned in new plans for school dinners

The Department for Education (DfE) has proposed significant changes to school meal standards in England, aiming to eliminate deep-fried foods and limit high-sugar items. These measures are part of an effort to revamp school lunches, ensuring children receive more nutritious options. Fruit will be introduced to replace sugary treats for most of the school week, while schools will no longer be permitted to serve unhealthy “grab and go” items like sausage rolls and pizza daily.

The Association of School and College Leaders endorsed the move to enhance school food quality but emphasized the need for additional funding to support the transition. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats called for funding to align with rising costs, while Reform UK criticized the government for overstepping in regulating dietary choices. The Green Party, however, praised the initiative as a necessary step toward healthier eating habits.

The DfE claims the reforms will lead to millions of children enjoying better meals daily. Currently, more than one-third of primary school pupils are overweight or obese, and tooth decay from high-sugar diets is the top reason for hospital visits among children aged five to nine. The new rules will cap sweetened desserts to once a week and encourage the inclusion of more fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains on school menus.

These changes mark the first update to school food standards in ten years, following delays caused by the pandemic. They will apply to both primary and secondary schools, with a phased rollout for secondary institutions to allow time for recipe development, menu updates, and staff training. The final standards are set to be announced in September 2025 and will take effect from September 2027.

Enforcement and Cost Concerns

A robust system will be established to monitor compliance with the new standards. Previous guidelines from 2015 focused on fruit and vegetable requirements, sugar reduction in drinks, and wholegrain alternatives to refined carbs. However, some head teachers cited funding gaps as a barrier to consistent adherence.

“Improving the quality of school food is something we wholeheartedly support,” said Tom Middlehurst of the Association of School and College Leaders. “The changes must be implemented in a practical way, including with additional funding to cover increased costs.”

A 2025 survey highlighted that the real cost of preparing a meal is around £3.45—over 80p more than the £2.61 allocated to schools for free meals. In response, the government announced a nine-week consultation on the proposals. Additionally, free school meals will be accessible to children whose parents receive Universal Credit starting September 2026, expanding eligibility by 500,000 pupils. Over 500 new breakfast clubs are also set to open this week, with funding for these programs increased from 60p to £1 per student.

Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats’ education spokesperson, stressed the importance of matching funding to inflation, ensuring meals remain healthy and substantial for all children. “Many in my constituency are worried about food costs, and the current funding is insufficient, forcing schools to cut portions and compromise quality,” she added. Reform UK, meanwhile, argued that the plan reflects an overreach in dietary control, claiming such bans won’t resolve obesity on their own.