{
  "id": 2940438,
  "title": "Most English secondary schools are breaking healthy food rules, finds report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/most-english-secondary-schools-are-breaking-healthy-food-rules-finds",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-24T04:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Health",
    "slug": "guardian-health",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/aug/24/most-english-secondary-schools-are-breaking-healthy-food-rules-finds-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent report has revealed that the majority of English secondary schools are failing to adhere to healthy food regulations, according to Bite Back, a food charity founded by chef Jamie Oliver. The analysis of nearly 400 state secondary schools in England uncovered shocking breaches of school food standards, with three-quarters of the schools analyzed serving unhealthy options such as crisps, burgers, and hash browns too frequently. The study found that 53% of schools offered products high in fat, sugar, or salt as snacks, even during breakfast and lunchtimes. Furthermore, 57% of schools provided meat products like burgers and nuggets more than the twice-per-week limit. Hash browns, which should only be served twice a week, were offered at 37% of the schools. Only 2% of schools were found to be selling banned confectionery like KitKats and Haribo sweets, while 1% were selling sugary drinks. The report's chief executive, D’Arcy Williams, expressed alarm at the findings, stating that schools should be a sanctuary for health and learning. However, the upcoming expansion of free school meals for all pupils in households receiving universal credit may help improve the food situation for children.",
  "summary": "‘Shocking’ breaches such as sweets and crisps at breakfast uncovered just before expansion of free school meals Three-quarters of secondary schools in England are breaking the rules on food offered to pupils by serving chips, burgers and hash browns too often – and sweets and crisps at breakfast time, according to a report. “Shocking” breaches of school food standards have been exposed on Monday,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}