Ministers have revealed finalised new food school standards which will be rolled out across state schools from next September – including some key changes following a public consultation. Plans for the “most ambitious overhaul in a generation” of the standards governing what children eat at school was unveiled by the Department for Education in April. The changes to the legislative framework covering state schools aim to offer “fresher, healthier” options and tackle concerns around rising childhood obesity and tooth decay. Following a consultation which received more than 5,200 responses, the government has revealed its final plan to crack down on foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, and boost fibre, fruit and vegetables. Subject to approval by Parliament, the new standards will come into effect in September 2027, though secondaries will have an extra year to roll out some aspects. But what will it now mean for schools? Here are 13 key points… 1. Honey banned at breakfast The new school food standards cover breakfast served at schools for the first time. The DfE’s plan to ban honey at breakfast proved one of the most divisive parts of its school food proposal, with 43 per cent of respondents disagreeing with it and just 28 per cent agreeing. Around 84 per cent of those who took part in the consultation were parents, while schools accounted for around 8 per cent of responses. Caterers, academics, local authorities, charities and public health bodies also responded. Many parents and caterers argued honey is a natural sweetener, and small amounts could encourage children to eat food like porridge and wholegrain toast. But the government hasn’t backed down on the ban – which also applies to syrups, chocolate spreads, and other sweet spreads (except low-sugar jam). Other respondents – particularly local authorities, academics and public health experts – argued honey should be treated like other sources of free sugars. “Honey is a free sugar and is classified in the same way as added sugars like table sugar, and permitting its use would be inconsistent with the objective of reducing pupils’ exposure to free sugars,” said the DfE. 2. …but other breakfast rules tweaked The DfE proposed allowing low-sugar cereals and “plain unflavoured porridge” at breakfast, while banning certain items such as pastries, fried potato products, and processed meats. But following the consultation, it has raised the permitted sugar level in breakfast cereals very slightly from 5g per 100g to 5.5g per 100g, to “support product availability”. Twice a week, schools may serve teacakes, crumpets and unsweetened pancakes. Added cream cheese will be allowed at breakfast twice a week. Meanwhile, although processed meat will be totally banned in primary schools at breakfast, it will be allowed once a week at secondaries – either at breakfast or during the school day. 3. Baked beans classed as protein Currently, schools must serve meat or poultry three or more days a week. This requirement will continue, but the definition of protein has been expanded to include pulses – such as beans, lentils and chickpeas. Baked beans were initially excluded, but following the consultation have been included as a protein too. They will be treated “differently” from pulses, however, says the DfE. Cheese has also been added to the protein food group, meaning it counts as a protein and dairy. All main menu items must include a protein source, going forward. 4. Deep-fried foods banned The government is pushing ahead with plans to ban deep-fried foods outright. Chips, wedges and hash browns will still be allowed, but no more than twice a week and only as part of a meal, and must not be deep-fried. Only one processed meat item – such as sausages, ham, bacon, and burgers – or food that is battered, breadcrumbed, or includes pastry can be served per week. 5. Plan doubles down on fibre The DfE’s plans to increase fibre intake were met with agreement from 81 per cent of respondents. It initially proposed that at least half of pasta and rice served should be brown, wholewheat or fibre-enriched. But it has now gone further on this. Under the final proposals, all pasta dishes served must contain at least 50 per cent wholewheat pasta. The minimum fibre requirement for bread has also been increased from 3g to 4g per 100g. 6. Cheese please! The government plans to cap food where cheese is a main ingredient at twice a week. But this proposal met with mixed views, with 31 per cent disagreeing with it at primary level, and 28 per cent at secondary. While respondents “generally supported” reducing foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, many pointed out cheese can be a key source of calcium and protein, particularly for vegetarians or those with restricted palates. The government still plans to introduce the cap, but is giving secondaries an extra year to implement it. For the 2027-28 academic year, they will be allowed three portions a week. Cheese will still be allowed as an “optional topping” on jacket potatoes and pasta. 7. Governors to lead on food The DfE is pushing ahead with plans for schools to appoint a lead governor for school food, despite critics’ concerns about this plan. It is also pushing ahead with a requirement for schools to publish their menus and food policies online. These plans will form part of a national compliance framework, which will be introduced from September 2027 and aims to strengthen “governance and transparency”. Around two-thirds of consultation respondents reportedly agreed that having a governor explicitly responsible for school food would help ensure schools follow the standards. But the government said parents and local authorities were “particularly supportive”, while schools and caterers were “more cautious about workload and the need for flexibility”. Around two-thirds of respondents also agreed requiring schools to publish their school food policies online would help ensure they meet the standards. 8. Compliance to be monitored The government is also “developing a national system for monitoring compliance”. A press release said the DfE “will work with the Food Standards Agency on an approach to monitoring school food, with more details in the coming months’. Schools Week understands schools will regularly be asked about the healthiness of the school food they offer. The DfE “will work with Ofsted” to make sure inspectors have “relevant information” from this national monitoring. Ofsted inspectors “will not grade schools on school food or compliance with the standards, but the information can form part of wider conversations inspectors have about leadership and governance at a school”. More details are expected soon. 9. Vegetables rule relaxed slightly Plans that all grab-and-go food should be served with vegetables or salad were widely supported, with 76 per cent agreeing. But schools and caterers warned these vegetables could be left uneaten and go to waste. The government now says vegetables served as part of a dish will also count – not just those served as a side. 10. Fruit-only dessert day scrapped The government had proposed that primary schools should provide only fruit for dessert, once a week. It has now scrapped this plan, after just 69 per cent of respondents agreed. “Some wanted more ambitious fruit-led dessert policies, while others highlighted the importance of maintaining appeal, supporting dairy provision, managing cost and avoiding waste,” it said. 11. Let them eat cake…twice a week The DfE had proposed restricting sweetened desserts or baked goods to just once a week, though secondaries were to be allowed them twice a week until September 2028. This proved divisive at consultation, with some raising “concerns about pupil acceptance, portion control, perceived value for money, and the role of occasional desserts in maintaining balanced and attractive menus.” “Respondents repeatedly emphasised that restrictions on popular foods need to be managed carefully. Schools and caterers warned that if popular items are removed too quickly, pupils may reject school meals, choose packed lunches, buy food outside school or leave meals uneaten.” Secondary schools will now be allowed to serve sweetened desserts or baked products twice a week on an ongoing basis. The once-a-week limit will still apply to primaries from September 2027. 12. Cake ingredients relaxed The DfE had also proposed that fruit or vegetables should make up 50 per cent of any cakes and desserts, by raw weight. It has now replaced this requirement. They should instead include a full or partial portion of fruit or vegetables (40g at primary and 80g at secondary). For desserts not containing a full portion, fruit or vegetables could be served as an accompaniment. 13. More plant-based options Almost half – 2,273 – of the responses came through a campaign organised by PlantBased Schools, and broadly called for better plant-based options, said the DfE. “The government recognises these views and notes that plant-based options have been incorporated throughout the revised standards,” said the DfE. This includes permitted plant-based drinks being expanded to include fortified pea drinks and plain, unsweetened fermented milk drinks. Yoghurt and plant-based versions of dairy products and houmous have also been added to the list of permitted snacks.