Canteen Clean Up: Updating the English School Food Standards
07 Sep 2026
Hey, it’s Timandra back again!
Remember my Canteen Calamity? Well, that greasy nightmare could be over for me and all young people as a new set of English School Food Standards have been proposed. This could mean increasing salad options, banning deep fried foods, and ensuring fresh, free drinking water for all students. And we’re not stopping at lunch: the Government plans to bring in a new set of standards for breakfasts provided in schools.
Bite Back did a public survey to see what the public wants from the updated School Food Standards.
We found that 98% of people think that it’s a good idea to reduce the number of unhealthy foods at school giving more space for healthier, tastier options.
One participant said that:
“It’s so disappointing that healthy options are not available and it comes down to profit over what's best for the children and their health - never mind the impact a poor diet has on learning outcomes.”
And they’re absolutely right, healthy options should be made a priority on all school menus instead of which option will make the most money. Catering companies shouldn’t be profiting off of damaging children’s health.
The survey made it clear that just like me and my fellow activists, people want change ASAP: 82% of participants agreed that all rules should come into effect at the same time, compared to 18% who think it’s fine to wait until September 2028 to change some of the rules in secondary.
I mean, we’ve only been waiting 11 years.
The outcomes from our public survey have made me feel hopeful for the future of the food system. Seeing the support of the public is really validating because we are often told that young people don’t really want healthy food. But the numbers show that isn’t true.
Our vision of a healthier future for all young people is a shared one.
These changes are a step in the right direction, and it is good to see that the Government is finally listening to young people’s voices, despite the fact that it has taken so long for that to happen.
But this is not the end of the road for school food. Our latest research has found that three in four schools breach the current School Food Standards.
That is not good enough, and the Government needs to make it their mission to actually enforce the new standards and eradicate the postcode lottery that is preventing students from accessing good quality meals.
It’s a chance to make sure there is equity in what each child receives at lunch time by properly catering to dietary requirements and cultural needs. At a place where we are required to be, all young people deserve to have a guaranteed meal that is healthy and adequately fuels our learning.
The review of the school food standards and the results from our survey have opened the door for more changes to a food system that right now, prioritises profits over provisions for British youth.
It’s time to take junk food out of the spotlight in our canteens and back a healthy future for the next generation.
