England Bans Fried Foods and High-Sugar Desserts in School Food Overhaul
The UK government has announced a major overhaul of school food standards in England, marking the first significant update in 13 years. Effective from September 2027, the new regulations will ban deep-fried items such as fish and chips and chicken nuggets, while requiring puddings to contain at least 50% fruit. This initiative aims to combat rising childhood obesity rates, with recent NHS data indicating that 24% of nursery and primary school children are overweight or obese. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the changes as the most ambitious in a generation, emphasizing the need for nutritious meals to support student learning and health. The announcement has been welcomed by campaigners, including chef Jamie Oliver and Henry Dimbleby, who view it as a crucial step toward improving children's diets. To support implementation, five leading organizations have formed the School Food Project, raising £2.3 million to assist schools in meeting the new standards. The project is set to launch in September 2026, coinciding with the finalization of the rules, aiming to ensure robust compliance and better health outcomes for students across England.
Wire timeline
England Bans Fried Foods and High-Sugar Desserts in School Food Overhaul
The UK government has announced a major overhaul of school food standards in England, marking the first significant update in 13 years. Effective from September 2027, the new regulations will ban deep-fried items such as fish and chips and chicken nuggets, while requiring puddings to contain at least 50% fruit. This initiative aims to combat rising childhood obesity rates, with recent NHS data indicating that 24% of nursery and primary school children are overweight or obese. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the changes as the most ambitious in a generation, emphasizing the need for nutritious meals to support student learning and health. The announcement has been welcomed by campaigners, including chef Jamie Oliver and Henry Dimbleby, who view it as a crucial step toward improving children's diets. To support implementation, five leading organizations have formed the School Food Project, raising £2.3 million to assist schools in meeting the new standards. The project is set to launch in September 2026, coinciding with the finalization of the rules, aiming to ensure robust compliance and better health outcomes for students across England.
The Guardian