The Government has unveiled what it calls the biggest overhaul of school food in a generation, updating England's school food standards for the first time in more than a decade.
The reforms will require schools to serve more fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and nutritionally balanced meals, while introducing stronger transparency and monitoring requirements designed to give parents greater confidence in what children are being served.
The new standards have been developed with nutritionists and public health experts and tested with schools, caterers and sample menus. Enforcement will begin in September 2027.
First major update in more than a decade
The Department for Education said the changes amount to the biggest overhaul of school food in a generation and will replace standards that have not been comprehensively updated for more than ten years.
The Government says the revised rules are intended to make school meals healthier while ensuring that menus remain practical for schools and appealing to pupils.
Examples cited by ministers include dishes such as sweet chilli stir fry, lasagne and chicken or vegetable curries, alongside a greater emphasis on fruit, vegetables and fibre-rich ingredients.
Schools to publish menus and food policies
The reforms go beyond what is served on the plate.
Schools will be expected to publish their food policies and menus online so that parents, pupils and local communities can see what is being offered.
They will also be required to nominate a school food governor, creating a named point of responsibility for oversight of food provision.
The Department for Education says the measures are intended to improve accountability and make it easier for families to hold schools to the standards.
Monitoring regime to be strengthened
The Government has also confirmed that the Department for Education will work with the Food Standards Agency on a new approach to monitoring school food.
Further details of how that monitoring system will operate are expected in the coming months.
Schools will receive training, resources and guidance to help them prepare for the new requirements before enforcement begins in September 2027.
Powell hails 'once-in-a-generation' reforms
Education Secretary Lucy Powell described the package as “once-in-a-generation changes” and said the Government wanted to ensure every child had access to healthy meals that supported learning, growth and development.
The reforms form part of a wider expansion of school food provision which also includes free breakfast clubs and expanded eligibility for free school meals.
The Government says three million children from families receiving Universal Credit are now eligible for free school meals.
Government links reforms to obesity and tooth decay
Ministers say the changes are partly aimed at addressing childhood obesity and poor dental health.
According to the Department for Education, one in three children leaves primary school overweight or obese, while tooth decay linked to high-sugar diets remains the leading cause of hospital admission among children aged five to nine.
The Government says parents have also backed healthier school food, citing survey findings showing demand for more fruit and vegetables and tighter limits on fatty and sugary foods.
Backed by campaigners and health experts
The new standards have been welcomed by a number of campaigners and organisations working on children's nutrition.
Chef and child health campaigner Jamie Oliver said updated standards based on current nutritional science were an important step and welcomed the commitment to proper monitoring.
Actor and campaigner Dame Emma Thompson also backed the changes, arguing that every child should have access to healthy and nutritious food at school.
The Food Standards Agency has said it supports the ambition to improve school food and will continue working with the Department for Education on a practical and proportionate monitoring system.
Schools have a year to prepare
The new standards will not be enforced immediately.
Schools and caterers have until September 2027 to prepare for the updated requirements, giving them time to adapt menus, supply arrangements and kitchen practices.
The Government says that period will also allow further support and monitoring arrangements to be developed before the new regime becomes mandatory.
The announcement means the overhaul has now moved beyond consultation and into confirmed Government policy.