Deep-fried food banned from school menus for good in war against child obesity | News UK

Deep-fried foods will disappear from school menus in favour of fruit-filled desserts as part of a sweeping new health drive.

New rules drawn up by ministers will ban the unhealthy cooking method from schools and scale back fatty ‘grab and go’ items and sugary treats.

Instead, each school lunch must be accompanied by one or more portions of vegetables and salad, and desserts will need to contain at least 50% fruit.

The shake-up hopes to combat childhood obesity and tooth decay and has been welcomed by healthy eating campaigners.

The government will set out the first overhaul School Food Standards in over a decade as data shows that one in three children are leaving primary school overweight or obese.

The changes will eliminate deep-fried food from the menu and stop schools from serving to-go pizzas and sausage rolls every day.

Desserts like ice cream and waffles and baked goods such as puddings and cakes will only be served once a week.

But these high-sugar treats will contain at least 50% fruit, while there will have to be one fruit-only dessert day as well.

Breadcrumb-coated and batter-coated foods will be allowed just once a week, meaning fish fingers and even chicken nuggets can be served as long as they aren’t deep-fried in the process.

At present, schools can dish out deep-fried options twice a week and only need to offer majority-fruit desserts twice a week.

The government’s changes will also see sides which are cooked using fat or oil, such as chips and hash browns, served no more than twice a week.

Cheese is also taking a hit in the new proposals. Foods where the dairy is the main ingredient, such as pizza and paninis, are permitted only twice a week.

Ministers want to boost young people’s fibre intake by getting more fruit, vegetables and whole grains in school lunches.

Research shows that only 9 per cent of 11 to 18 year-olds currently meet the target of eating five fruit and veg a day.

Ministers are also worried about the fact that children are consuming double the recommended sugar, with dental decay the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged five to nine.

Sample menus, unveiled as part of the proposals, reveal what the new dishes could look like.

Kids might be served cottage pie with root-and-veg mash, Mexican-style burritos, jerk chicken with rice and peas and spaghetti bolognese.

The changes will first be considered in a nine-week consultation beginning April 13.

Schools will have to start implementing the new menus from September 2027.

Secondary schools will be allowed to offer two portions of desserts or sweet treats a week before reducing to one by 2028.

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