Why this matters for children with coeliac disease
School food standards are particularly important for children with coeliac disease because a strict gluten free diet is the only treatment for the condition.
Clear, practical and achievable standards can help schools provide suitable meal options that meet nutritional needs without preventing children from joining in fully at school, including school lunches or events.
They also play a key role in ensuring gluten free meals are nutritionally adequate. Gluten free diets can be lower in important nutrients like fibre, iron and calcium if not carefully planned.
By following appropriate standards, schools can promote inclusion, protect children’s health and give parents confidence that their child’s dietary needs are understood.
What is being proposed?
The updated guidance includes:
- Schools must appoint a governor to oversee food and publish their food policies and menus online.
- Increasing fibre by offering more wholegrains, vegetables, pulses and fruit.
- Reducing sugar by limiting sweetened breakfast items, desserts, drinks and added sugar in everyday meals.
- Limiting foods higher in fat, sugar and salt, such as fried foods, processed meats, sweets and savoury snacks.
- Reducing processed meats and using cheese less often as a main ingredient, with some exemptions, such as when served with a jacket potato.
The consultation also highlights the importance of inclusive menus:
“We want school food to work for every child. It must be flexible enough to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities, those with allergies and intolerances, and those from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Inclusive menus are central to what we are proposing, and we want to hear from families, schools, and specialists as part of this consultation to make sure we get this right.”
Challenges already faced by families
We continue to hear from families who describe significant inconsistencies in the availability and quality of gluten free school meals.
Although guidance states that schools should make “reasonable efforts” to accommodate pupils with medical dietary requirements, in practice many schools feel unable to offer safe gluten free meals. This is often due to concerns about cross contamination.
We also hear that some schools rely on “allergy free” menus. We know these can be repetitive, have little choice and may not always be nutritionally balanced. This can mean children may not want to eat them and instead rely on packed lunches.
Have your say
It’s important that parents, carers and young people with coeliac disease have an opportunity to contribute to this consultation to ensure their experiences are reflected in the final guidance.
We’d strongly encourage you to respond via the Government’s website before the consultation closes on 12 June 2026.
Your feedback can help ensure school food is nutritionally adequate, enabling children with coeliac disease to eat well and participate fully in school life.
Coeliac UK’s response
Coeliac UK will also be responding to the consultation to ensure the needs of pupils with coeliac disease are clearly represented.