Most English secondary schools are breaking healthy food rules, according to a report by Bite Back, a food charity set up by chef Jamie Oliver. The analysis of food provided at almost 400 state secondaries found that three out of four menus contained at least one breach of the government-set standards.

Widespread rule-breaking

The report, which examined 391 state secondary schools in England, found that at 206 schools (53%), products high in fat, sugar or salt that are meant to be banned altogether – such as crisps, Oreos, Mini Cheddars, chocolate bars and pastries – were offered to pupils as snacks, including at breakfast and lunchtime. Schools are allowed to sell only nuts, seeds, plain vegetables and plain fruit as snacks.

Meat products including burgers, nuggets, sausages and goujons were served more often than the twice a week permitted by the standards at 224 schools (57%). Hash browns, which should be a menu option only twice a week, were offered more often at 144 schools (37%). Chocolate in solid form, such as chocolate chips or chocolate coating, appeared as an ingredient in desserts or bakes at 123 schools (31%), despite being banned.

There were brighter spots: only eight schools (2%) flouted the ban on selling confectionery as standalone items, and three schools (1%) sold banned sugary drinks.

Alarming Findings by Charity Leader

D’Arcy Williams, Bite Back’s chief executive, called the findings “very alarming” and said they expose “a system that is fundamentally failing our children.” He added: “It is shocking to find crisps and chocolate being pushed at breakfast time or processed meats like sausage rolls and bacon baps being served far more frequently than the rules allow. Young people have been telling us for years that their school food is ‘beige, bland and boring’ and now we have more evidence that they are being surrounded by unhealthy food throughout the school day. Schools should be a sanctuary for health and learning, yet the current postcode lottery of food quality is undermining that mission.”

Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, expressed concern that the findings indicate children are “still being routinely exposed to processed meat, fried foods, pastries and confectionery beyond what the standards allow.” She also highlighted the broader environment: “Children are already growing up surrounded by unhealthy food across the wider food system, from what is marketed to them to what is promoted in shops. If we can’t even get the food environment right in schools, where children spend such a large part of their lives, then we have a serious problem.”

Government Response

The Department for Education said in response: “We want every child to be healthy, happy and ready to learn, and nutritious food plays a vital role in helping them achieve that. That’s why we are delivering the most ambitious overhaul of school food in a generation, making sure children have access to healthy, balanced meals, get more of their five a day and are protected from the harms of eating too much ultra-processed food.”

The department said it will introduce “strengthened enforcement” and require every school to publish their food policy and menus online to improve transparency for parents.

, though no specific timetable was given in the material. At the start of the new academic year, the government says it will also expand free school meals to all pupils from households receiving universal credit.

The report and the government response come as pupils prepare to return to school for the new term.