Spanish children have eaten these staples for generations, now England is following suit
New rules have been announced for England to include items in school lunches that the Spanish have been using for […]
New school lunch rules in England will mirror practices already established in Spanish schools for decades. The Department for Education aims to combat rising obesity and dental problems in children by making significant changes to cafeteria menus. Deep-fried foods will be eliminated entirely, while pulses like lentils and chickpeas will be served weekly.
Every meal served must include at least one fruit or vegetable, while breakfast favorites like fried eggs, pastries, and sugary cereals will be phased out. Cakes and sweets will be restricted to once a week in primary schools and twice in secondary schools, with each dessert mandatorily containing fruit. High-fat and high-salt foods, including pizzas and sausages, will also be limited.
The new standards will be implemented in September, with secondary schools having until September 2028 to adjust. Schools must publish their menus online and assign a food governor to monitor compliance. The DfE will collaborate with the Food Standards Agency on a monitoring plan. Spanish children have long consumed these staples, with pulses routinely incorporated into daily meals alongside meat, fish, and pasta.
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