More than three-quarters of publicly accessible secondary-school menus in England appear to breach current School Food Standards, according to new research.

The study analysed menus from almost 400 state-funded secondary schools and found that 76% contained at least one identifiable violation of the current 2014 standards.

Some of the most common issues included:

• 57% of schools offered meat products such as burgers, nuggets, sausages and goujons more frequently than the permitted twice a week
• 37% offered hash browns more than twice a week, despite restrictions on fried starchy foods
• 31% used solid chocolate in desserts or bakes, despite this being prohibited
• Unhealthy options such as crisps and branded confectionery were also found on breakfast and break-time menus.

The findings come at a significant time for the education catering sector, with updated School Food Standards due to be introduced from September 2027. The proposed changes will further restrict unhealthy options, including a complete ban on deep-fried foods, restrictions on daily grab-and-go options and a requirement for desserts to contain at least 50% fruit.

At the same time, free school meal provision is expanding from September 2026 to children in England whose parents receive Universal Credit, potentially reaching around 500,000 additional pupils. This makes the quality, affordability and nutritional value of school food an increasingly important issue for schools and catering providers.

For education caterers, the message is clear: compliance, nutrition and value will remain firmly in focus. As standards evolve and demand for school meals increases, ensuring menus meet requirements while remaining appealing and affordable will be critical.

At Regency Purchasing Group, we understand the pressures facing education caterers and the importance of achieving the right balance between cost, quality, nutrition and compliance. Effective procurement can play an important role in helping operators deliver nutritious menus while managing increasingly challenging budgets.