Healthy eating in schools

The current Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 have been in place in all schools since 2009. Whilst those Regulations have been instrumental in bringing about much positive change, the Scottish Government want to ensure that our children and young people continue to be offered food and drink that reflects the latest scientific evidence and dietary advice on food health and nutrition. The new Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which took effect on 8 April 2021, are aligned more closely to our Scottish Dietary Goals and are centred around four key themes to make school meals even healthier.

The new Regulations will increase access to fruit and vegetables, ensuring that our children and young people can access their ‘five-a-day’ at school; reduce the amount of sugar that can be accessed in school; bring provision of red and red processed meat in line with the Scottish Dietary Goals; and change the way food and drink is offered in secondary schools to better meet the needs of young people.

You can find the 14 new Food and Drinks Standards for High Schools and Primary Schools.

Primary school standards at a glance

High school standards at a glance

For more in-depth information, the full "Healthy Eating In Schools: Guidance 2020" publication can be found on the Scottish Government's website.