Great news for animals, children and the planet! Following a campaign by PETA, Meat Free Monday and environmental and health groups, plus extensive consultation, the government has dropped the requirement for schools to serve dairy, meat, and fish. From September 2027, English schools can serve pulses and other meat free proteins instead of meat and fish, and fortified plant-based milk instead of dairy. The new standards also require more pulses and restrict processed meat and dairy cheese.
Along with PETA, we urged the Department for Education to scrap the archaic mandate requiring schools to serve meat, fish, and dairy to help pave the way for more plant-based options. The campaign was backed by the McCartney family, the Royal Society for Public Health, Greenpeace UK, school caterers, MPs, councillors, food companies and more than 38,000 members of the public.
“The long-overdue changes to school food rules reflect society’s move away from meat,” said Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney. “They will spare animals and give children a greener, kinder, healthier future.”
Last updated in 2013, the School Food Standards required schools to serve animal-derived foods regularly: dairy daily, meat three times a week, and fish every three weeks. These outdated rules perpetuated animal suffering, harmed the environment, and lagged behind public health advice such as the Eatwell Guide.
The new standards will apply in primary and secondary schools from September 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.