The British Nutrition Foundation has responded to the Government's consultation on School Food Standards: updating the legislative framework.
We broadly support the proposed update of the School Food Standards and welcome the stronger focus on improving children’s diets, particularly increasing fibre, fruit and vegetables, and reducing free sugars, saturated fat and salt. We support measures such as enhancing the nutritional quality of breakfast provision, restricting processed meat and high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods, and promoting healthier drinks and desserts across the school day.
We also support greater inclusion of plant-based foods (such as pulses), clearer standards for fibre and wholegrains, and efforts to encourage healthier “grab and go” options and meal deals. At the same time, we highlight the importance of maintaining nutritional balance (including dairy and appropriately fortified plant-based alternatives), recognising the role of all food groups, and ensuring guidance is practical, evidence-based and consistent.
Crucially, we emphasise that successful implementation will depend on factors beyond the standards themselves, including affordability, pupil uptake, catering capacity, and the wider school food environment. A phased, flexible approach, combined with strong monitoring, stakeholder engagement and food education, will be essential to achieve meaningful improvements in children’s nutrition and reduce inequalities.
For further details see our full response to the consultation
About the British Nutrition Foundation
Connecting people, food and science for better nutrition and healthier lives
The British Nutrition Foundation is a charity that strives to prevent diet-related illness and promote health and wellbeing through evidence-based nutrition science. It provides a bridge between nutrition science, government, industry, healthcare, education and people, and is a conduit to a healthier, more sustainable food environment for all.
The British Nutrition Foundation’s team is made up of highly qualified and experienced nutrition scientists and educators who work to disseminate evidence-based peer reviewed research findings which: support industry strategy and healthy, sustainable product innovation; inform government policy and regulations; and help people build their knowledge, skills and confidence in making positive, food and lifestyle choices to help prevent illness and disease and promote health and wellbeing.
We safeguard our independence through robust governance, with an independent Board supported by an Advisory Committee and a Scientific Committee, both of which draw upon a broad range of experts from academia, government, industry, and public life. Our governance is weighted towards the scientific community, universities, and research institutes, and those from education, finance, media, communications, and HR backgrounds.
Funding for the British Nutrition Foundation is from membership subscriptions; donations; project grants from food producers and manufacturers, retailers and food service companies; conferences; publications, training, trusts, and foundations. The British Nutrition Foundation is not a lobbying organisation, nor does it endorse any products or engage in food advertising campaigns.
More details about the British Nutrition Foundation’s work, funding and governance can be found here.
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Article by British Nutrition Foundation