New school dinner proposals ban deep-fried foods. A moment ago. Hayley Clarke, education reporter. Getty. England’s schools will ban deep-fried foods and limit high-sugar items under new proposals to revamp school dinners. Fruit will substitute for sugary treats most days of the week, and unhealthy “grab-and-go” choices like sausage rolls and pizza will no longer be available daily. The Association of School and College Leaders backs enhancing school food quality but insists extra funding is vital for implementation. The Liberal Democrats urged matching school meal funding to inflation, Reform UK criticized the government for “micromanaging lives,” and the Green Party hailed the removal of unhealthy options as “welcome and long overdue.” The Department for Education (DfE) states the reforms will deliver healthier, more nutritious meals to millions of children daily. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described them as “the most ambitious school food overhaul in a generation,” adding: “Every child deserves delicious, nutritious food at school to fuel concentration, learning, and thriving.” The DfE notes that over one-third of primary school leavers are overweight or obese, and sugar-related tooth decay is the top reason for hospital stays among five- to nine-year-olds. New rules cap sweetened desserts at once weekly and mandate more fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains on menus. These mark the first school food standards update in 10 years—delayed by the pandemic—and target primary and secondary schools in England to boost child health and nutrition. Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey, on BBC Breakfast, said the plans aim to “kickstart a school food transformation” by cutting sugar, boosting fiber, and eliminating deep-fried items. Schools must post menus online, and she emphasized healthier food needn’t cost more: “I don’t think healthier food has to be more expensive for schools.” Brad Pearce, national chair of the School Food People, welcomed the review but called for proper monitoring and funding. Caterers report that rising meal costs are leading to less meat and smaller portions. Free school meals will be expanded to an additional 2,000–2,750 children. The government has launched a nine-week public consultation on the proposed changes. Secondary schools will adopt a phased rollout for certain updates, allowing time to create recipes, revise menus, and train staff. Final school food standards will be revealed this September and take effect in September 2027. A stringent enforcement mechanism will also be established to verify compliance, including oversight of schools’ adherence. The 2015 school food standards previously mandated more fruits and vegetables, restricted sugar in beverages, and promoted whole grains over refined carbs like white bread or pasta. However, some principals report inconsistent compliance, often blamed on expenses. In tandem with these standards, from September 2026, any child in England with parents on Un
