The UK government is overhauling school food standards in England, banning deep-fried items such as chips from lunches and requiring every meal to include vegetables or salad, as part of efforts to tackle childhood obesity. From September, staples like fish and chips will still be available but must be oven-baked, while sweetened desserts will be limited to twice a week in secondary schools and once a week in primary schools, down from a daily allowance previously.

The Department for Education standards, drawn up with nutritionists and backed by figures including Jamie Oliver and Dame Emma Thompson, also require bread to be at least half wholemeal, restrict processed meats like sausages and nuggets to once a week, and ban chocolate spread and full-sugar ketchup. Breakfast clubs must drop pastries, fried eggs and sugary cereals, and schools will need to publish menus online and appoint a food governor for accountability. Education Secretary Lucy Powell called the changes "once-in-a-generation," citing figures showing a third of children leave primary school overweight or obese, though the Conservatives dismissed the move as misplaced priorities and school leaders warned funding may not cover the added costs.