Average UK school meals mostly made of ultra-processed foods

Turkey twizzlers do not meet health guidelines, but caterers warn that rising prices could force them to serve poorer quality meals. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian

Public health experts have called for an urgent cap on ultra-processed food at schools after research found the products made up nearly two-thirds of the average UK school lunch.

Across primary and secondary schools, ultra-processed food accounted for 64% of calories provided by lunchtime meals, the study found, with packed lunches typically containing more of the foods than meals provided by schools themselves.