# School dinners in England get a rewrite

> Baked chips, weekly lentils and pudding twice a week: here is what lands on the lunch tray from 2027.
- Title: School dinners in England get a rewrite · MadeForMums
- Summary: Baked chips, weekly lentils and pudding twice a week: here is what lands on the lunch tray from 2027. Nothing vanishes overnight, but from September 2027…
- Keywords: school dinners, england, nutrition, parenting, school meals, School, dinners, get, rewrite, MadeForMums
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/news/family-news/new-school-dinner-rules-revealed-including-compulsory-lentils-fewer-puddings-no-fried-chips
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: school dinners, england, nutrition, parenting, school meals
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Nothing vanishes overnight, but from September 2027 primary school menus must add veg, wholegrains and pulses, and drop the deep fryer.