{
  "id": 7183260,
  "title": "Deep-fried food banned under new school dinner rules in England",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/deep-fried-food-banned-under-new-school-dinner-rules-in-england",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T21:30:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4zrepw78eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK government has announced a major overhaul of school dinners in England, set to be implemented from 2027. This significant shift in school food standards aims to boost the intake of fresh fruit and vegetables while banning deep-fried foods. The changes will see fibre and wholegrains increased, and breakfast clubs required to adhere to nutrition rules for the first time. Schools will also be monitored as part of this extensive framework. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) welcomed the new rules but expressed concern over the potential for head teachers to be criticized for their efforts. The changes include reducing sweet desserts to twice a week in secondary schools and once a week in primary schools, with a mandatory fruit portion. Processed meats like ham, sausages, and chicken nuggets will also be limited to once a week, with a vegetable or fruit side. Education Secretary Lucy Powell emphasized the transformative impact of these once-in-a-generation changes, aiming to tackle childhood obesity, improve nutrition, and enhance children's concentration, learning, and wellbeing. Schools are required to publish food policies and menus online, with monitoring arrangements to be developed alongside the Food Standards Agency. Despite the changes, Pepe Di Iasio, ASCL general secretary, warned against creating another source of pressure for head teachers, calling for more investment in catering facilities and chef professional development. The new rules will apply to primary and secondary schools in England, while rules for school dinners vary across the UK.",
  "summary": "The government describes its new school food standards as \"once-in-a-generation changes\".",
  "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."
}