Schools to implement new food standards to tackle childhood obesity

Schools will have to cut down on serving pupils sweetened baked desserts under the first new school food standards for more than a decade.

The desserts must contain or be served with fruit as part of the sweeping overhaul aimed at tackling childhood obesity and tooth decay.

Sugary drinks and foods such as ice cream and waffles will also be restricted, while deep-fried foods are cut, according to the Department for Education.

Foods high in fat and salt such as pizzas and sausages will also have to be limited. More fibrous wholegrains and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas will be required on menus alongside main meal options at least once a week.

And a portion of vegetables or salad should accompany, or be incorporated into, every main meal.

Each school will be expected to publish their menus and food policies online to help boost compliance.

They will also be expected to nominate a school food governor who will hold schools to account for the meals on offer.

The DfE will work with the Food Standards Agency on a plan to monitor schools, with details to follow in the coming months.

A survey of more than 1,400 headteachers and senior leaders in primary and secondary state schools in England – conducted in September by Teacher Tapp on behalf of School Food Matters – found 68% believe the standards would be more effective if compliance was independently checked.

The standards will come into effect next September, with secondary schools given until September 2028 to make some of the changes.

Around one in three children are leaving primary school overweight or obese, while tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for youngsters aged five to nine.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: ‘These are once-in-a-generation changes that will transform school food for children across the country.

‘From our historic expansion of free school meals to the rollout of free breakfast clubs and new school food standards, we are making sure that every child has access to the healthy meals we know children need to learn, grow and succeed.

‘No child should spend the school day hungry, and no family should have to struggle to put food on the table. This is what change looks like: healthier food, fuller stomachs and a fairer start for every child.’

The changes are backed by chef Jamie Oliver and actress Dame Emma Thompson.

Oliver said: ‘Back 20-plus years ago when I started School Dinners I could not believe that we had standards for dog food but not what we serve our children at school.

‘And I’ve never stopped banging that drum. So it’s brilliant to see new school food standards based on the latest science, to make sure the food children get at school is actually supporting their health and helping them thrive.’

Dame Emma, who campaigns for the Food Foundation charity, said: ‘This is a milestone worth celebrating and an investment in a healthier future for the next generation.’