England Confirms Weekly Pulse Requirement for School Meals From 2027

The Department for Education in England has announced new school meal standards that will require schools to serve pulses at least once a week starting in 2027. Deep-fried food will no longer be permitted, and cheese will be limited to two portions per week. Pulses can now count toward the protein requirement, providing more options for vegetarian main dishes.

The new standards also include additions to plant-based drinks and snacks, with fortified pea drinks and plant-based snacks now permitted. A national compliance and monitoring system will be established to enforce the standards, developed in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency. While there are concerns about cost and uptake, the changes are seen as a step towards providing healthier, more sustainable school meals in England.