The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) has welcomed the government’s announcement of the first major update to school food standards in more than a decade, which will see healthier meals served to millions of children across England from next year.
The new standards are designed to increase the amount of fruit, vegetables and fibre in school meals, while limiting foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. Changes include ensuring vegetables or salad are available with every main meal, increasing wholegrains and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas, restricting sugary drinks and desserts, and reducing deep-fried foods and high-fat savoury items.
Alongside updates to the standards, this is the first time ever that school food standards will be properly monitored. This will ensure schools are supported to improve their offer in order to meet the standards.
The reforms come alongside the recent expansion of free school meals to all children in families receiving Universal Credit and the rollout of free breakfast clubs. Schools will have a year to prepare for the changes before the new standards come into force in September 2027, with some additional measures for secondary schools phased in by 2028.
Our Executive Director, Katharine Jenner was quoted in the Government’s press release:
This is a major and very welcome step towards giving every child the best start in life. With one in three children leaving primary school above a healthy weight, we cannot afford to ignore the important role that school food plays in shaping children’s diets and long-term health.
Cutting back foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat, while putting more fruit and vegetables on the menu, will help make the healthier choice the easier choice for millions of children.
Good school food will play an important role in achieving the government’s ambition to become a more preventative state. The next step is making sure these standards are properly implemented and monitored, so that every child benefits, regardless of where they live or their family’s income.
Read the government’s press release here, and consultation response here.