Government to ban high-sugar and deep-fried food in schools

The government has announced plans to remove high-sugar and deep-fried foods from school meals.

A nine-week consultation has launched today which sets to overhaul the School Food Standards for the first time in over a decade.

New standards, developed alongside nutritionists and public health experts, will apply to all breakfasts and lunches served by schools.

This will see the removal of unhealthy ‘grab-and-go’ foods like sausage rolls and pizzas from daily menus, while fruit will need to be served instead of high-sugar treats for the majority of the school week.

Deep-fried foods will be completely banned.

Health minister Sharon Hodgson said: “Children are consuming twice the recommended amount of free sugar and offering more nutritious meals at school is a great way of ensuring they eat healthier food.

“We’re determined to reduce the child obesity epidemic and the new School Food Standards represent another piece in a jigsaw of measures designed to help raise the healthiest generation of children ever.”

The government is also developing a national enforcement system to monitor schools’ compliance. Full details will be announced in September 2026, with enforcement in place from September 2027. 

Changes are supported by food campaigners, charities and nutritional experts including chef Tom Kerridge, chef Jamie Oliver, and Chefs in Schools’ Henry Dimbleby and Emma Thompson.

Thompson said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the government is changing the School Food Standards to make sure that every child has delicious, nutritious school food that they deserve. School meals are a golden opportunity to support children’s health, learning and wellbeing – and getting this right means children across the country can truly thrive. This is a landmark moment for families, for the NHS, and for the future of our young people.”

Chef and school food campaigner, Jamie Oliver, added: “Twenty years ago, dog food had higher standards than school dinners. I’ve been banging the drum ever since because I refuse to accept our kids being fed anything less than proper, nourishing meals.

“School food is the UK’s most important restaurant chain. From September, during term-time schools will provide two-thirds of a child’s daily diet - a massive opportunity to improve health at scale. My Good School Food Awards prove that world-class meals are possible right now, and every child deserves that same quality.

“So, I’m delighted this government is now updating and enforcing these standards.”