Healthier school meals introduced ahead of new Welsh Government regulations

Healthy eating improvements are continuing across school catering to support the health and wellbeing of pupils.

Denbighshire County Council’s Catering Service has been proactively introducing updates to the school menu during the last 18 months. This is due to the Welsh Government’s updated Healthy Eating in Schools Regulations (2025) which begin taking effect on October 31 this year.

Aligned with the Eatwell Guide, these updated statutory requirements will impact food provision across the entire school day.

To ensure a smooth transition for pupils and catering staff, the Catering Service has worked to gradually align the menu with the needs of the new regulations.

The nutritionally analysed three-week school menu already reflects these standards and includes:

• Enhanced Dessert Options: Llaeth y Llan yoghurts and fruit are now offered three times a week, and baked fruit based desserts to twice a week.
• More Vegetables: Catering staff have expanded daily vegetable selections to ensure every pupil can access at least two portions per day.
• Portion Sizes: There are now revised portion sizes for Infant and Junior meals that will be phased in during October. This gradual rollout will ensure full compliance immediately following the October half-term.
• Special Diets: To safely support students with specific dietary needs, parents are now asked to provide formal medical evidence to the catering service so staff can provide suitable meals.

The latest adjustments in September will see the school menu move closer to full legislative compliance by exclusively offering 50/50 wholemeal bread. Sandwich fillings will be limited to cheese, tuna mayonnaise, and egg mayonnaise and ham will no longer be available, as it is restricted under the new Welsh Government regulations as classed as a processed meat.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “By introducing improvements gradually in the school menu to meet the new regulations, we have helped pupils become familiar with healthier choices in a positive and manageable way. This has also ensured that our schools are fully prepared for the new regulations.

“I would also like to thank our dedicated catering staff for the care, professionalism and commitment they continue to show in adapting menus, supporting our pupils and putting these changes into practice across our schools. These changes introduced are an important step in supporting the health and wellbeing of our children and young people going forward.”