England introduces stricter nutritional standards for school meals

The English government has announced new rules about food in schools, starting soon. Deep-fried food will be completely removed from school menus. Sweet desserts will only be allowed once a week, and they must contain at least half fruit. Popular daily options like sausage rolls and pizza will also disappear from menus. Schools will need to serve more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains instead.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Greater Manchester to promote the plans. The government will consult parents and children for nine weeks before the rules begin.

Currently, more than one in three children leave primary school overweight. High-sugar diets also cause serious tooth problems, which is the main reason children aged five to nine enter hospital.