ENGLAND — The UK government announced plans to ban deep-fried food and restrict high-sugar items in schools across England, with new food standards set to take effect in September 2027. The proposals, which will apply to both primary and secondary schools, represent the first changes to school food standards in England since 2014, after planned revisions were delayed due to the pandemic.

Under the new rules, sweetened desserts such as ice cream, waffles, puddings and cakes will be limited to once a week and must contain at least 50 percent fruit. Fruit will replace higher-sugar items for the majority of the school week. Schools will no longer be permitted to offer grab-and-go options such as sausage rolls and pizza every day, and each meal must be accompanied by at least one portion of vegetables and salad.

Sides cooked using fat or oil, such as chips and hash browns, will be limited to no more than twice a week, while breadcrumb-coated or batter-coated items such as fish and chips will be permitted once a week. Schools will also be required to publish their menus online. Secondary schools will have a phased approach to allow time to develop recipes, update menus and train staff, with two portions of desserts or sweet treats allowed each week from September 2026, reducing to one by 2028.

"Every child deserves to have delicious, nutritious food at school that gives them the energy to concentrate, learn and thrive," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said. "This is the most ambitious overhaul of school food in a generation," she added.

"We're improving the quality of food served in schools so parents can count on their children getting healthy meals. This is about easing the cost of living today and supporting better health for the future," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. When asked whether schools could manage the changes within their existing budgets, he said, "I think they can."

The new standards were developed with input from health experts and nutritionists. Sample menus include cottage pie with root-and-vegetable mash, Mexican-style burritos, jerk chicken with rice and peas, and spaghetti bolognese. A nine-week public consultation on the proposals has been announced.

More than one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese in England, and tooth decay from high-sugar diets is the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged five to nine. Any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be able to claim free school meals from September 2026.

A Reform UK spokesperson said the plans were "yet another example of the government trying to micromanage people's lives," and that "banning foods from school menus won't solve childhood obesity." The spokesperson added: "It just removes choice and adds pressure on already stretched schools. We should be focusing on education, personal responsibility, and ensuring families can afford healthy food, not headline-grabbing bans."