Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the nutritional requirements of the universal infant free school meals provided from September 2014.

The nutritional requirements for school meals, including universal infant free school meals, are currently set out in the Education (Nutritional Standards and Requirements for School Food) (England) Regulations 2007, which are published online at:

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/2359/contents/made

These regulations set out the food groups to be provided, and how frequently, along with the levels of key nutrients (such as iron, zinc and calcium) that the meals should contain. They also restrict the amounts of saturated fat, salt and sugar that can be served in meals.

From 1 January 2015, a new set of school food regulations will come into force for school meals (including universal infant free school meals). The regulations are published online at:

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1603/contents/made

The new regulations are based on food groups, to make it easier for cooks to create tasty, nutritious menus. They also restrict the amounts of fried foods, salt and sugar that can be served.