20-05-2025
Major change to primary school dinners for millions of kids with key lunch staples facing BAN to promote healthy eating
A MAJOR change to school dinners for millions of primary-age kids will see key foods banned, new plans reveal.
To promote healthy eating, big changes have been proposed to primary school menus in Wales.
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The Welsh Government is proposing changes on what food can be served in schools from 2026-27 in a consultation launched on Monday.
Fruit juice, white bread, and sugary cereals are among the food and drink to be binned.
The proposed plans will also see limits on sugary puddings, cheese and processed meats such as gammon.
However, red meat and fish must be served once a week.
The mooted changes will also see more fruit and vegetables on primary school menus.
This is in an effort to reduce saturated fats and sugars and help pupils meet their five fruit-and-veg a day.
Fried chips can also only be served once a week under the plans and bread, pasta and noodles must be at least 50 per cent wholegrain.
There would also be changes to portion sizes, moving away from the current one-size-fits-all approach for primary-aged children.
Smaller meals will be served to infants with larger portions for those of junior age.
The junior portions will be approximately three-quarters of an adult portion while an infant portion is roughly half of an adult portion.
Pizza and macaroni cheese, where cheese is the primary source of protein, will only be served twice a week.
These changes have been proposed in line with UK dietary guidelines, the Welsh Government have said.
The plans come amid health risk concerns over rising obesity levels in children.
In Wales, a quarter of children aged four and five are now categorised as overweight or obese.
Kids look horrified as they eat school dinners that British over-50s miss most
A quarter of children also start primary school overweight and experts say "many children aren't getting the balanced nutrition they need to thrive."
At least two portions of vegetables (not including potatoes), one of which can be a salad, must be provided each day with six varieties provided each week.
At least one portion of fruit/fruit salad must also be provided to children each day with at least four varieties per week.
There must also be three different types of starchy carbs provided each week and no more than three portions of sweetened baked products and desserts.
Further food and drink changes have also been proposed to primary school breakfasts.
This also includes changes to primary school breakfasts such as cereals as well as the type of milk they can drink with fruit juice set to be banned.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government outlined the changes, saying: "The new proposals will ensure children are offered nutritionally-balanced school food and drink and that healthy eating is promoted in schools with the aim of improving health, wellbeing, and attainment.
"The evidence shows that, on average, children eat too much sugar and don't eat the recommended amounts of fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains.
"This contributes to health issues such as childhood obesity and currently one in four reception-aged children are categorised as overweight or obese."
The Welsh Government has reviewed regulations on school food nutrition, which applies in all Welsh maintained schools, according to The Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy.
With the rollout of universal primary free school meals in Wales, they said they are fulfilling their commitment to the strategy starting with primary schools.
I'm a school dinner lady - people ask us the weirdest questions
They added that it was a more complex issue in secondary schools, however, with "more information" required before any changes are made for older children.
The spokesman added: "The eating patterns in secondary schools are more complex due to the popularity of grab-and-go options and the wide variety of foods being available during both morning and lunch breaks.
"We're gathering data on consumption habits and issuing a call for evidence as part of this consultation to better understand these settings."
The plans have been welcomed by Public Health Wales.
Consultant in public health, Rachel Bath, said that the regulations were a "vital step" in ensuring school food supports children's lifelong eating habits.
She added: "We know there is work to do to give all children access to nutritious meals alongside food education and positive dining experiences.
Key proposals for primary school menus in Wales:
Vegetables, fruit, and starchy carbohydrates
Currently at least one portion of vegetables or salad must be provided each day and at least one portion of fruit, fruit salad, or fruit juice must be provided each day and there is no regulation on wholegrain carbs and white bread.
If proposals are agreed the following bans and changes would be enforced:
At least two portions of vegetables (excluding potatoes), one of which can be a salad, must be provided each day. At least six varieties must be provided each week.
At least one portion of fruit/fruit salad must be provided each day. At least four varieties must be provided each week.
At least three different types of starchy carbs must be provided each week.
At least one portion of pasta, noodles, or rice serving which must contain at least 50% wholegrain.
All bread must contain at least 50% wholegrain.
Meat, processed meat, and fish:
Under current regulations meat cuts must be provided on at least two days each week. Processed meat products (like sausages or burgers) must not be served more than twice a week while a portion of fish must be provided at least once each week and a portion of oily fish must be provided at least twice during any four-week period
If proposals are agreed the following bans and changes would be enforced:
Red meat (like beef or lamb) must be served at least once a week but not more than twice a week.
White meat would be unlimited in the amount it can be served.
Processed meat products must not be served more than once a week with ham and bacon to be counted as processed meat products, which they weren't before.
At least one portion of fish must be provided each week.
A portion of oily fish must be provided at least once every four weeks.
All fish must be sustainably caught.
Meat and fish alternatives and cheese-based meals for non-meat options:
There are no regulations for these currently but if proposals are agreed the following changes and bans would be enforced:
No more than two portions of processed alternatives to meat and fish can be provided each week.
Meals where cheese is the main protein source (like cheese pizza, macaroni cheese, or cheese bake) cannot be served more than twice per week.
Potato and potato products and deep-fried and flash-fried food:
Currently a portion of potato or potato product which is cooked in fat or oil must not be provided more than twice each week while a portion of food (excluding potato and potato products) including prepared, coated, battered and breaded food products, deep-fried or flash-fried on school premises or during the manufacturing process, must not be provided more than twice each week.
If proposals are agreed the following changes and bans would be enforced:
No more than two portions of potato or potato products cooked in fat or oil can be provided each week.
Of these two portions only one can be deep fried each week.
No more than one portion of deep-fried or flash-fried food (excluding potato and potato products) can be provided each week.
Sweetened baked products and desserts, fruit and veg in desserts, and pastry or pastry products:
Currently there is no regulation on how many portions of sweetened baked products and desserts can be provided each week or how often pastry and pastry products are served although a fruit-based pudding must be provided at least twice each week.
If proposals are agreed the following changes and bans would be enforced:
No more than three portions of sweetened baked products and desserts can be provided each week.
All desserts must contain or be accompanied by a minimum of 20g /40g (infant/junior) of fruit/veg or minimum of 10g/15g (infant junior) of dried fruit.
No more than one portion of pastry and pastry products must be provided each week.
Drinks:
Currently fruit juice is allowed and nursery-aged children can have semi-skimmed or whole milk while primary-aged learners must have semi-skimmed or skimmed milk. Still or carbonated water can be served.
If proposals are agreed the following drinks can and can't be served:
Plain water (still or carbonated) is in while fruit juice is out.
Nursery-aged children can have semi-skimmed or whole milk but primary aged children must have semi-skimmed, 1% fat, or skimmed milk.
Plant-based drinks must contain added calcium but no other added substances.
Fruit juice is no longer classified as portion of fruit and is not permitted.
Breakfast:
Under current regulations milk-based drinks or yoghurts are served but cereals coated or flavoured either alone or in combination with sugar or chocolate or cocoa powder are already banned so the changes would be to bread.
If proposals are agreed the following menus would be enforced:
Milk and plain plant-based drinks to be served.
Cereals can be served but not those coated or flavoured with sugar, chocolate, or cocoa powder or in any combination of those ingredients.
Breads (at least 50% wholegrain) and toppings can be served.
Portion sizes:
Currently there is only one meal portion size for all primary pupils aged from nursery/reception to year six
If the changes are agreed two separate portion sizes – juniors and infants - would be served:
Junior portions will be approximately three-quarters of an adult portion and infant portions approximately half of an adult portion.
"These changes not only support children's health but also contribute to a more sustainable food system and local economy.
"With continued collaboration and clear oversight, school food can be a powerful driver of long-term health and wellbeing in Wales.'
The plans will help both the NHS and children, according to Education secretary Lynne Neagle, saying good nutrition is crucial in helping young people "perform at their best".
She said: "Our evidence-based changes to school food rules will help give Welsh children the best start in life while supporting Welsh producers and nurturing a generation of healthy eaters to safeguard the future of our NHS."
The consultation on proposed changes to the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013 will last for ten weeks, starting from May 20.
Neagle added: "We want to build on the good work already happening to further ensure every child in Wales has access to healthy food.
"This is why I want to hear from parents, teachers, suppliers, and young people.
"By working together we can create school food standards that work for everyone – supporting our children's health today and for their future.'
