New School Dinner Rules in England 2027: No More Deep-Fried Foods
New school dinner rules in England from 2027 mean fish and chips are off lunch menus for English schools going forward, unless they are baked. No deep-fried foods will be offered under the new rules for schools in England. Also, chicken nuggets, ham and sausage will only be permitted to be served once a week. Plus, they must come with a side serving of fruit or vegetables.
What are some of the other changes? Pulses such as lentils should be served at least once a week for lunch. This is part of a drive to increase fibre into children’s diets. Fibre increases in bread are to be introduced too, with bread needing to contain at least 50% wholemeal flour. Furthermore, at least one pasta dish a week must contain 50% or more wholewheat pasta.
Children are to receive one or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily, with different types offered from week to week.
What about desserts? At present, a dessert is offered every lunchtime. However, when the new rules come into effect in 2027, cakes or other desserts will only be served once a week in primary schools and twice a week in secondary. Additionally, they should be accompanied by a portion of fruit.
Breakfast clubs, which have previously not had any guidance on nutrition, will now have stricter oversight. Pastries and fried eggs will no longer be served, along with a sugar cap for cereals.
What are the changes addressing? In England currently, around 36% of children are overweight or living with obesity by the time they finish primary school.
The measures are being put in place to tackle childhood obesity and improve children’s physical wellbeing. By reducing sugar and increasing fibre, the hope is that childhood obesity and the ill effects from it will be reduced in the long term.
Discussion
What are you thoughts on the changes?
Are school lunches free where you live?
Would packed lunches from home be beneficial? Why or why not?
What did school lunch look like for you as a child?
If you could change one thing about the education system where you live, what would it be?
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