On 14 September 2026, the Department for Education announced updated school food standards for England, described as the first revision in more than a decade. The release, issued by Education Secretary Lucy Powell's department, said the changes would bring more fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre-rich foods and balanced meals, and that the standards had been tested with schools, caterers and sample menus.

The department said schools would be expected to publish food policies and menus online and name a school food governor, with training, resources and guidance provided. It said the Department for Education would work with the Food Standards Agency on a monitoring approach, with details to follow. Anna Taylor of the Food Foundation said parents and children could expect improvements in the run-up to enforcement planned for September 2027.

The release cited one in three children leaving primary school overweight or obese, and tooth decay linked to high-sugar diets as the leading cause of hospital admissions among children aged five to nine. It also reported that 36% of surveyed parents wanted more fruit and vegetables, 38% limits on fatty foods and 33% less sugary food and drink. Powell and campaigners including Jamie Oliver and Dame Emma Thompson welcomed the standards.