School food standards in tatters as three-quarters of English secondaries breach rules, report says
A new analysis by the food charity Bite Back reveals widespread non-compliance with government dietary guidelines, with schools over-serving meat products and selling banned snacks during breakfast.
The governance of school meals in England is facing scrutiny after a new report indicated that three-quarters of state secondary schools are failing to meet government-set food standards. The analysis, conducted by the food charity Bite Back, examined menus from 391 state secondary schools and found that 75 per cent contained at least one breach of the regulations.
The findings highlight a systemic issue with compliance, particularly regarding the frequency and type of food served. At 206 schools, representing 53 per cent of the sample, products high in fat, sugar, or salt—such as crisps, chocolate bars, and pastries—were offered as snacks during breakfast and lunch. Under current standards, schools are permitted to sell only nuts, seeds, plain vegetables, and plain fruit as snack options.
Meat products also featured prominently in the breaches. The report found that 224 schools, or 57 per cent, served meat items like burgers, nuggets, sausages, and goujons more often than the permitted twice-weekly limit. Additionally, 144 schools offered hash browns more frequently than allowed, while 123 schools used solid chocolate in desserts or bakes despite it being a banned ingredient.
D’Arcy Williams, chief executive of Bite Back, described the widespread non-compliance as alarming, stating that the findings expose a system fundamentally failing children. She noted that while young people have long complained that school food is bland, they are now surrounded by unhealthy options throughout the day.
The report was released on the eve of significant policy changes. The Labour government is set to expand access to free school meals at the start of the new academic year, allowing all pupils from households receiving universal credit to qualify. Simultaneously, the Department for Education is preparing to unveil an overhaul of school food standards, a move sought by child health and anti-obesity organisations for years.
In response, a Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged that not every school is following the current standards. The department stated it is introducing a strengthened enforcement regime and will require every school to publish their food policy and menus online to improve transparency for parents.
