Plan for healthier school meals in England will hit services, say caterers

Ministers’ school meal proposals are aimed at increasing pupils’ fibre intake, meaning more lentils – and fewer chicken nuggets. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

A government push to get schoolchildren eating more lentils, pulses and beans at lunch could have a “devastating effect”, making catering services unviable, school meal providers have warned.

Proposals for healthier meals in English schools, which would limit the amount of desserts and reduce “grab-and-go” items such as pizzas and sausage rolls, would pile pressure on an already struggling sector, caterers said.