Key facts
- Three-quarters of secondary schools in England are breaking healthy food rules, according to a report by Bite Back.
- Schools are serving unhealthy snacks, processed meats, and fried foods more often than permitted by government standards.
- 53% of schools offered banned snacks like crisps and chocolate, including at breakfast time.
- 57% of schools served processed meat products more than twice a week.
- Ministers are preparing an overhaul of school food standards and a strengthened enforcement regime.
A report by the food charity Bite Back, founded by chef Jamie Oliver, has revealed that three-quarters of secondary schools in England are failing to comply with government healthy food standards. The analysis of menus from 391 state secondary schools found widespread breaches, including the frequent offering of unhealthy snacks, processed meats, and fried foods.
According to the report, 53% of schools were found to be selling banned items such as crisps, chocolate bars, and pastries as snacks, even at breakfast time. The standards permit only nuts, seeds, plain fruit, and plain vegetables as snacks. Furthermore, 57% of schools served processed meat products like burgers, nuggets, and sausages more than the allowed twice a week, and 37% offered hash browns more frequently than the permitted twice a week.
Chocolate was also found to be used as an ingredient in desserts and bakes in 31% of schools, despite being banned. D’Arcy Williams, Bite Back’s chief executive, described the findings as "shocking" and "alarming," highlighting that young people have long reported school food as "beige, bland and boring." He stated that the current "postcode lottery" of food quality undermines the mission of schools as sanctuaries for health and learning.
However, the report also noted that only a small percentage of schools were flouting the ban on selling confectionery as standalone items (2%) and sugary drinks (1%). Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, expressed concern, emphasizing the need for schools to provide nutritious food given children's exposure to unhealthy options elsewhere.
In response, the Department for Education acknowledged that some schools do not follow the standards and announced plans for an overhaul of school food regulations. This includes a strengthened enforcement regime and requiring schools to publish their food policies and menus online to improve transparency. The government is also expanding access to free school meals for pupils from households receiving universal credit.