GOVERNMENT BANS DEEP-FRIED FOOD IN ENGLAND'S SCHOOL LUNCHES

The UK government has announced changes to school food standards in England, which it calls the biggest shake-up to school dinners in more than a decade. Deep-fried food will be banned, meaning chips must be oven-baked instead. The rules take effect from 2027 and will be funded from schools' existing budgets, the government said. Education Secretary Lucy Powell called the changes "once-in-a-generation" and said they would "transform school food for children across the country". Breakfast clubs will follow nutrition rules for the first time.

Fibre and wholegrain requirements will rise, with high-fibre bread made mandatory and pasta needing to be 50% wholewheat once a week. Sweet desserts such as cake will fall from a regular lunch item to twice weekly in secondary schools and once weekly in primary schools, and must come with fruit. Processed meats including ham, sausages and chicken nuggets will be served once a week, alongside vegetables or fruit. Schools must publish their food policies and menus online. The Department for Education said the reforms aim to tackle childhood obesity and support children's concentration and wellbeing.

The Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the changes but raised concerns over enforcement. Its general secretary, Pepe Di'Iasio, said parents would feel "reassured", but added: "None of us would consider ourselves experts in health and nutrition." He urged the government not to create "another stick with which to beat head teachers" trying to provide balanced meals, and said schools needed "more investment" in catering facilities and chefs' training. Monitoring arrangements will be developed with the Food Standards Agency, the government said.