Biggest shake-up in a decade

Schools in England are getting their first major overhaul of school dinners in more than ten years, with rules written to make everyday meals healthier.

Veg with every main

Every main meal will need a portion of vegetables or salad, either served on the side or cooked into the dish itself.

Lentils once a week

Wholegrains and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas become a weekly requirement alongside main meal options. Pasta dishes must be 50% wholewheat once a week, and high-fibre bread is in.

The fryer gets switched off

Deep-fried food is banned, so chips have to be baked. Pizza and sausages get limited, and processed meats like ham and chicken nuggets drop to once a week, served with fruit or veg.

Pudding, but less of it

Sweet desserts get restricted and must come with fruit. Schools Minister Georgia Gould says daily apple crumble or ice cream becomes twice a week, and once a week in primaries.

“At the moment you could have dessert [like] apple crumble, ice cream every day.”

Breakfast clubs included too

For the first time breakfast clubs get nutrition standards. Pastries and fried eggs are out, cereals face a sugar cap, and Coco Pops and chocolate spread are off the menu.

Menus go public

Schools must publish their menus and food policies online and appoint a school food governor to oversee what children are being served.

Heads want the money

School leaders broadly welcome the plan but worry about cost. Pepe Di'Iasio of ASCL asked for investment in kitchens and chef training, not blame.

“another stick with which to beat head teachers”

2027 for primaries, 2028 for the rest

Primary schools start in September 2027, with secondaries phased in through September 2028. Wales and Scotland run their own rules; Northern Ireland's date from 2007.