The Department for Education has published new school food standards, the first update in over a decade, which will restrict sugary drinks, ice cream and waffles, cut deep-fried food, and limit high-fat, high-salt items such as pizza and sausages. Alongside these changes, updated guidance for headteachers explicitly reminds schools to ensure packed lunches brought from home are not seen as a "better" alternative to school meals, including by banning sugary drinks, crisps and sweets, or incentives for healthy packed lunches. The overhaul aims to tackle childhood obesity and tooth decay, with ministers framing it as part of a broader package including expanded free school meals and breakfast clubs.

Desserts will need to include or be served with fruit, while more wholegrains, pulses such as lentils, and a portion of vegetables or salad will be required with every main meal. Schools must publish menus and food policies online, with the standards taking effect from September 2027 and secondary schools given until September 2028 for some changes. The move follows the extension of free school meals to all children on Universal Credit, and comes as roughly one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese and tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for five- to nine-year-olds. Education Secretary Lucy Powell called the changes "once-in-a-generation," while school leaders' unions warned that additional funding will be needed to cover the increased costs.