School lunch shake-up to ban deep-fried food and staple desserts - see new menus

School lunch shake-up to ban deep-fried food and staple desserts - see new menusDeep-fried and high-sugar food will be banned from school lunches, while sausage rolls, pastries and pizzas will be restricted on menus under plans to overhaul food standardsCommentsNewsSophie Huskisson Political Correspondent22:30, 12 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesIt is the first shake-up of School Food Standards in over a decade(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Deep-fried and high-sugar food will be banned from school lunches, while sausage rolls, pastries and pizzas will be restricted on menus under plans to overhaul food standards.‌New standards will require school menus to cut out high-sugar food such as ice cream, waffles and sugary drinks. Sweetened baked desserts like steamed sponge and custard or jam roly-poly will be restricted, with any puddings needing to contain at least 50% fruit.‌The rules will also require school dinners to include more higher-fibre wholegrains — including wholemeal bread, brown pasta and rice – as well as pulses like lentils and chickpeas alongside main meal options at least once a week.‌A portion of vegetables or salad must accompany every main meal, while fruit will also need to be served instead of sugar-laden treats for the majority of the school week.READ MORE: Teachers issue urgent warning to parents over SEND supportView 2 ImagesNew sample menus will include a range of health-packed meals(Image: PA)New sample menus will include a range of health-packed meals - including spaghetti bolognese, Mexican style burritos, cottage pie with root-veg mash, jerk chicken with rice and peas and roasted chickpea, vegetable and mozzarella wrap.‌The plans are billed as the first shake-up of School Food Standards in over a decade. Secondary schools will have till September 2028 to make changes to allow them more time to improve the quality of grab-and-go options.The government will on Monday launch a nine‑week consultation on the healthier options with parents and children,...