Full list of 21 foods and drinks being completely banned in schools across England – plus the ones being limited too

SCHOOL dinners are set to undergo a major shake-up under a new Labour crackdown on children’s eating habits.

Bans have been imposed on certain food groups, as well as how often items are served up each week.

Yesterday, the Department for Education announced the rules set to be rolled out across England’s primary and secondary schools.

Salty, sugary and deep-fried foods have specifically been targeted under the new plans, in an effort to try and “help children develop healthy eating habits”.

The Department for Education intends to monitor schools’ adherence to the new standards as the institutions will be expected to publish their menus and food policies online.

Regulations have also been laid out stating what items need to appear more frequently on children’s plates.

Which foods and drinks are set to be banned in schools?

Fried eggs
Breakfast pastries
No added- sugar muesli
Sugary breakfast cereal with added sugar and salt, e.g., Frosties and Coco Pops
No chocolate spreads such as Nutella will be permitted at breakfast in primary schools
No honey will be permitted at breakfast in primary schools
No syrups will be permitted at breakfast in primary schools
Deep-fried food – items like chips can still be served but they must be baked not fried
Products that list partially hydrogenated fat or oil on the label should be avoided, e.g., French fries, crisps, commercial baked goods, and spreads
No flavour enhancers such as MSG or E621
No snacks, except nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit with no added salt, sugar or fat (applies across the whole school day)
No confectionery (applies across the whole school day)
No chocolate (applies across the whole school day)
No chocolate-coated products (applies across the whole school day)
No biscuits outside of lunch
No savoury crackers or breadsticks to be served outside of lunch
No cakes or desserts outside of lunch (except yoghurt or fruit-based desserts containing at least 50 per cent fruit. Permitted desserts, cakes and biscuits are only allowed at lunchtime and must not contain any confectionery
No salt should be added to food after it has been cooked, or added to water when cooking pasta, rice and other starchy food
Drinks containing preservatives, flavourings, colourings and sweeteners should be avoided
No fruit juice to be served in primary schools

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: “These are once-in-a-generation changes that will transform school food for children across the country.

“From our historic expansion of free school meals to the rollout of free breakfast clubs and new school food standards, we are making sure that every child has access to the healthy meals we know children need to learn, grow and succeed.

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“No child should spend the school day hungry, and no family should have to struggle to put food on the table.

“This is what change looks like: healthier food, fuller stomachs and a fairer start for every child.”

Foods and drinks set to be restricted under new school rules:

All starters and desserts must include a 40g portion of fruit or vegetables in primary schools and an 80g portion in secondary schools
Starchy food cooked in fat or oil cannot be served more than two days a week (applies across the whole school day)
Pasta dishes served on at least one day each week must contain at least 50 per cent wholewheat pasta
Baked beans cannot be served more than once a week, and schools are urged to use low-sugar/low-salt varieties
Processed meat or poultry products that meet the legal requirements should be served no more than once a week in primary schools and twice a week in secondary schools (applies across the whole school day)
Meat alternative products can be served once a week
No more than two portions of food that are deep-fried, batter-coated or breadcrumb-coated each week (applies across the whole school day)
No more than two portions of food that include pastry each week (applies across the whole school day)
Condiments including ketchup, jams, marmalades and spreads should no longer be served in bottles/jars and will be limited to sachets or portions of no more than 10g/one teaspoonful
Juice will be permitted in secondary schools until September 2028 but limited to no more than a 150ml serving of fruit or vegetable juice
Combination drinks (which feature more than one ingredient) should be limited to a portion size of 330ml, and any fruit and vegetable should be at least 45 per cent fruit or vegetable juice
Canned fruit can be served if it comes in water or natural juice, with no added salt or sugar
Hard cheeses should be used in small amounts, with stronger-tasting varieties chosen
Milkshakes and yoghurt drinks are permitted but should be low-sugar varieties
Foods high in fat, sugar and salt, e.g. pizza or cake, are restricted or not permitted to be served at times other than lunch
Bread with no added fat or oil must be available throughout the day but is restricted if cooked in fat or oil. It also needs to be at least 4g/100g fibre (or at least 50 per cent wholemeal flour), and no more than 5g fat/100g
Savoury crackers or breadsticks are to be served only during lunch, and these must be served with fruit, vegetables, or dairy food
Cream cheese is permitted a maximum of two times each week in secondary schools

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Tuesday 15 September

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