Full list of the foods set to be banned or cut down in Welsh schools
Some food and drink is out and some must be served more under new healthy eating plans for primary schools in Wales amid concern about childhood obesity
Some foods are banned and others must be served more often under changes planned for primary school menus.
The Welsh Government is planning the shake-up amid new scientific guidance and concerns that one in four reception-aged children are now classed as obese. A consultation has been launched on the plans which include a bar on white bread and fruit juice. Chips and other fried potato products could only to be served once a week but red meat is "safeguarded".
The healthier menus would see different portion sizes depending on age and more fruit and veg served in schools. A 10-week consultation on the plan was launched on Monday and if agreed the changes would start from 2026-27. Below we look at what is banned and what must be served.
Key proposals for primary school menus
- Red meat is "safeguarded". The Welsh Government said it is "a great source of iron and zinc in moderation" and schools would now be required to serve it at least once a week but no more than twice a week.
- White meat, such as chicken and turkey, will be unlimited in how often it can be served.
- Processed meat can be served once a week in primary schools and now includes ham, bacon, and gammon.
- Fruit juice and combinations drinks which are high in sugar are banned.
- Cheese can still be served without limits as part of a balanced meal but no more than twice a week where cheese is the main source of protein.
- Ham and bacon are now counted as processed meat products, which they weren't before.
Vegetables, fruit, and starchy carbohydrates
Currently at least one portion of vegetables or salad must be provided each day and at least one portion of fruit, fruit salad, or fruit juice must be provided each day and there is no regulation on wholegrain carbs and white bread.
If proposals are agreed the following bans and changes would be enforced:
- At least two portions of vegetables (excluding potatoes), one of which can be a salad, must be provided each day. At least six varieties must be provided each week.
- At least one portion of fruit/fruit salad must be provided each day. At least four varieties must be provided each week.
- At least three different types of starchy carbs must be provided each week.
- At least one portion of pasta, noodles, or rice serving which must contain at least 50% wholegrain.
- All bread must contain at least 50% wholegrain. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
Meat, processed meat, and fish
Under current regulations meat cuts must be provided on at least two days each week. Processed meat products (like sausages or burgers) must not be served more than twice a week while a portion of fish must be provided at least once each week and a portion of oily fish must be provided at least twice during any four-week period
If proposals are agreed the following bans and changes would be enforced:
- Red meat (like beef or lamb) must be served at least once a week but not more than twice a week.
- White meat would be unlimited in the amount it can be served.
- Processed meat products must not be served more than once a week with ham and bacon to be counted as processed meat products, which they weren't before.
- At least one portion of fish must be provided each week.
- A portion of oily fish must be provided at least once every four weeks.
- All fish must be sustainably caught.
Meat and fish alternatives and cheese-based meals for non-meat options
There are no regulations for these currently but if proposals are agreed the following changes and bans would be enforced:
- No more than two portions of processed alternatives to meat and fish can be provided each week.
- Meals where cheese is the main protein source (like cheese pizza, macaroni cheese, or cheese bake) cannot be served more than twice per week.
Potato and potato products and deep-fried and flash-fried food
Currently a portion of potato or potato product which is cooked in fat or oil must not be provided more than twice each week while a portion of food (excluding potato and potato products) including prepared, coated, battered and breaded food products, deep-fried or flash-fried on school premises or during the manufacturing process, must not be provided more than twice each week.
If proposals are agreed the following changes and bans would be enforced:
- No more than two portions of potato or potato products cooked in fat or oil can be provided each week.
- Of these two portions only one can be deep fried each week.
- No more than one portion of deep-fried or flash-fried food (excluding potato and potato products) can be provided each week.
Sweetened baked products and desserts, fruit and veg in desserts, and pastry or pastry products
Currently there is no regulation on how many portions of sweetened baked products and desserts can be provided each week or how often pastry and pastry products are served although a fruit-based pudding must be provided at least twice each week.
if proposals are agreed the following changes and bans would be enforced:
- No more than three portions of sweetened baked products and desserts can be provided each week.
- All desserts must contain or be accompanied by a minimum of 20g /40g (infant/junior) of fruit/veg or minimum of 10g/15g (infant junior) of dried fruit.
- No more than one portion of pastry and pastry products must be provided each week.
Drinks
Currently fruit juice is allowed and nursery-aged children can have semi-skimmed or whole milk while primary-aged learners must have semi-skimmed or skimmed milk. Still or carbonated water can be served.
If proposals are agreed the following drinks can and can't be served:
- Plain water (still or carbonated) is in while fruit juice is out.
- Nursery-aged children can have semi-skimmed or whole milk but primary aged children must have semi-skimmed, 1% fat, or skimmed milk.
- Plant-based drinks must contain added calcium but no other added substances.
- Fruit juice is no longer classified as portion of fruit and is not permitted.
Breakfast
Under current regulations milk-based drinks or yoghurts are served but cereals coated or flavoured either alone or in combination with sugar or chocolate or cocoa powder are already banned so the changes would be to bread.
If proposals are agreed the following menus would be enforced:
- Milk and plain plant-based drinks to be served.
- Cereals can be served but not those coated or flavoured with sugar, chocolate, or cocoa powder or in any combination of those ingredients.
- Breads (at least 50% wholegrain) and toppings can be served.
Portion sizes
Currently there is only one meal portion size for all primary pupils aged from nursery/reception to year six
If the changes are agreed two separate portion sizes – juniors and infants - would be served:
- Junior portions will be approximately three-quarters of an adult portion and infant portions approximately half of an adult portion.
How to give your views on the proposed changes to menus
Calling for people to offer their views on the consultation for more healthy eating in primary schools a Welsh Government spokesman said: "Wales leads the UK in providing free school meals to all primary school children. This important step helps tackle child poverty and hunger, supports learners to achieve, and contributes toward improved health, making a real difference in schools and communities across Wales.
"While we're proud to offer the most generous school food programme in the UK we want to make it the best-quality too."
The food guidelines are being looked at again because scientific recommendations on school food have changed since the regulations were first introduced, the Welsh Government added.
The proposals were developed with input from pupils, schools, and governing bodies, local authority caterers, the Welsh Local Government Association, dieticians, public health experts, Estyn inspectors, and academic researchers.
The consultation will launch on May 20 and run for 10 weeks until July 29. The Welsh Government said it will be gathering views on the new proposals for food and drink in primaries as well as on healthy eating promotion and guidance and a call for evidence on current food and drink in secondary schools.
The consultation on proposed changes to the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013 lasts for 10 weeks and will be live on May 20 here.