School meals – healthy eating standards

    All food in schools must meet nutritional standards so that children have healthy, balanced diets.

    This means there must be:

    • high-quality meat, poultry or oily fish
    • at least 2 portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal
    • bread, other cereals and potatoes

    There can’t be:

    • fizzy drinks, crisps, chocolate or sweets in school meals and vending machines
    • more than 2 portions of deep-fried food a week

    You can read more about nutritional standards in schools on the School Food Trust website.

    You may be entitled to free school meals if you’re on a low income.