75% of English Secondary Schools Found Breaching Healthy Food Standards

LONDON — 75% of state secondary schools in England are failing to comply with government standards governing the food served and sold to pupils, according to a new report by food charity Bite Back.

The analysis examined menus from 391 state secondary schools and found that 75 percent had committed at least one breach of the national school food standards. The violations largely involved schools serving foods such as burgers, processed meat, hash browns and other unhealthy items more frequently than permitted.

According to the report, 53 percent of the schools analysed were offering products high in fat, sugar or salt, including crisps, chocolate bars, pastries and similar items, despite restrictions on their sale as snacks. Meanwhile, 57 percent were serving processed meat products such as burgers, nuggets, sausages and goujons more than the permitted twice-a-week limit.

The study also found that 37 percent of schools were serving hash browns more frequently than the rules allow, while 31 percent were using chocolate in desserts or baked products despite restrictions on its use.

However, the report found relatively few schools violating restrictions on standalone confectionery and sugary drinks. Only eight schools, or 2 percent, were found to be selling confectionery such as sweets and chocolate bars, while three schools, representing 1 percent, were selling banned sugary drinks including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta and Sprite.

Bite Back chief executive D’Arcy Williams described the findings as alarming and said widespread non-compliance was exposing children to unhealthy food during the school day. Campaigners from the Obesity Health Alliance similarly warned that schools should provide an environment where pupils can access nutritious food.

The UK Department for Education acknowledged that some schools were not following the existing standards and said the government was preparing a major overhaul of school food policy. The department said a strengthened enforcement regime would be introduced alongside a requirement for schools to publish their food policies and menus online.

The government is also expanding eligibility for free school meals in England from the beginning of the new academic year, with all pupils living in households receiving Universal Credit becoming eligible under the new arrangements.

The findings are expected to intensify calls for stronger monitoring and enforcement of school food standards, as concerns grow over the quality of food available to children in educational settings.