Nutrition and food standards in school meals

Secondary schools

Fruit and vegetables

Lunch time must include at least one 80g fresh, tinned or frozen, or 30g dried fruit and two 80g portions of vegetables. At all other times where food is provided one 80g fruit or vegetable or 30g dried fruit must be made available.

Oily fish

Must be provided at least once every 3 weeks.

Red and processed red meat

Across the school day, no more than 230g over the week and only 130g of this can be processed red meat.

Sweetened baked products and desserts

Across the school day, no more than 10g of total sugar, no more than 19g of fat and no more than 6g of saturated fat per portion.

Breakfast cereal

Across the school day, no more than 15g of sugar, 1.1g of salt and contain at least 3g of fibre per 100g.

Deep-fried foods

A maximum of 3 portions can be provided in a week. Chips must only be provided as part of a meal.

Savoury snacks

Across the school day plain crackers, oatcakes and breadsticks and any other pre-packed savoury snacks such as crisps must be a pack size no more than 25g and contain no more than 22g fat, 1.5g salt and 3g of sugar per 100g.

Bread

Across the school day must contain a minimum of 3g of fibre per 100g.

Sweetened yoghurts, fromage frais and milk-based desserts

The portion should be less than 175g. Less than 10g of sugar and 3g of fat per 100g.

Pastry and pastry products

It must not be provided more than twice a week across the school day.

Oils and spreads

Across the school day, spreads must not contain more than 20g of saturated fat per 100g and more than 30g per 100g of combined mono and poly and monosaturated fat.

Oils must not contain more than 16g of saturated fat per 100g and must contain at least 55g per 100g of monounsaturated fat or at least 30g per 100g of polyunsaturated fat.

Salt and condiments

Across the school day, no salt should be provided.

Condiments can be provided when included in the menu, but must be dispensed in no more than 10ml portions.

Confectionary

Across the school day, no confectionery can be offered. This includes chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery.

Drinks

Across the school day, free drinking water must be provided.

In addition, the following drinks can be provided:

  • plain still or sparkling water
  • plain lower-fat milk
  • plain, lower-fat calcium-enriched milk alternatives
  • tea and Coffee
  • no added sugar, lower-fat milk drinks
  • no added sugar, lower-fat drinking yoghurts
  • sugar-free drinks (excluding high caffeine – 150mg per litre)

Page last modified: 11 November 2025