New School Food Standards: What Schools and Caterers Need to Know

The UK Government has published its response to the consultation on updating the School Food Standards. Here’s what the changes could mean for schools, caterers and food procurement.

The Government is updating England’s School Food Standards, with most of the new requirements expected to come into effect from September 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.

The changes are designed to help children eat more fruit, vegetables, fibre and healthier sources of protein, while reducing their intake of sugar, saturated fat, salt and processed meat.

For schools and caterers, this means it is worth reviewing menus, products and procurement arrangements well ahead of the September 2027 implementation date.

What are the main changes?

🥦 More fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables will have a greater role across the school day.

The updated standards will strengthen requirements around:

• Offering fruit or vegetables with starters and desserts.
• Serving vegetables or salad with main meals.
• Incorporating vegetables into dishes such as pasta, sauces and grab-and-go options.
• Increasing opportunities for pupils to choose fruit and vegetables.

This means fresh, frozen and prepared fruit and vegetables will all continue to be important parts of school catering.

🌾 More fibre and wholegrains

There will be a stronger focus on higher-fibre foods.

For example:

• Manufactured bread will need to contain at least 4g of fibre per 100g and no more than 5g of fat per 100g.
• Homemade bread must contain at least 50% wholemeal flour.
• At least one day each week, pasta dishes will need to contain at least 50% wholewheat pasta.

Schools may therefore need to review the breads, rolls, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates currently used. Please speak with your Trevors rep for advice on the suitability of products you order and/or appropriate swaps.

🥣 New breakfast standards

Breakfast is an important part of the updated framework, particularly as the Government expands access to breakfast provision.

Breakfasts will focus on starchy carbohydrates, alongside fruit and vegetables.

Among the changes:

• Breakfast cereals will have a maximum 5.5g sugar per 100g.
• Bread will need to meet the new fibre and fat requirements.
• Honey, syrups and chocolate spreads will not be permitted, apart from low-sugar jam.
• Processed meat will not be permitted at breakfast in primary schools.
• Crumpets, teacakes and unsweetened pancakes can be served on up to two days each week.

If you provide breakfast clubs or breakfast services, now is a good time to review your existing product range speak to your rep to arrange an audit of the products you currently use.

🫘 More variety in protein

The updated standards continue to encourage a wider range of protein sources.

Schools will need to provide appropriate protein sources within main meals, with continued emphasis on meat, poultry, fish, pulses and vegetarian options.

🥩 Less processed meat

Processed meat will face tighter restrictions.

For primary schools, processed meat will not be permitted.

For secondary schools, specified processed meat will be permitted twice per week, either at breakfast or elsewhere during the school day.

Schools and caterers should therefore consider where products such as processed meat are currently used across menus, sandwiches, breakfasts and grab-and-go ranges.

🍰 Changes to desserts

The Government has adapted its original proposals following consultation.

A proposed fruit-only dessert day for primary schools has been removed.

Secondary schools will be able to provide two sweetened desserts or baked products per week.

The intention is to improve nutritional quality while still ensuring that school meals remain appealing to pupils.

🥤 Drinks

There will be tighter requirements around drinks served in schools.

Water and appropriate milk-based drinks will remain important.

There are also restrictions around drinks containing added sugars and certain sweeteners. Again please speak with your contact at Trevors to arrange an audit of your existing drinks range.

Some secondary-school drinks requirements will be phased in from September 2028.

When will the changes happen?

Date	What to expect
October 2026	Government intends to lay the new regulations, subject to Parliamentary approval
September 2027	Most new School Food Standards expected to come into force
September 2027	New breakfast requirements expected to apply
September 2027	Changes to primary-school drinks requirements
September 2027	New arrangements around school food policies, menus and accountability
September 2028	Some secondary-school requirements phased in, including elements covering drinks, cheese and pulses

Trevors are working with our suppliers to develop / rework products to meet the incoming regulations. We have products in stock that meet the new standards and we will working on updating the tags in this in the coming weeks so you can easily search these on Coldweb. In the meantime keep in touch with your rep to find out more about how Trevors can help your school.