Health experts want to ban biscuits and cakes at school lunch—here’s why it matters

Current government standards allow schools to serve desserts, cakes, and biscuits at lunchtime, either shop-bought or prepared on-site. While these are meant to complement a balanced meal, the reality is concerning. A study from Action on Sugar, a charity based at Queen Mary University of London, highlights just how sugar-laden many of these snacks are.

For example, 61% of cakes, 63% of chocolate bars, and 44% of biscuits surveyed exceeded 10g of sugar per serving—a third of a child’s daily recommended sugar intake. This means that a child consuming a typical cake, chocolate bar, and two biscuits across a day could ingest 92.5g of sugar, almost triple the daily limit for children aged 11 and over.

Dr Kawther Hashem, head of research at Action on Sugar, warns:

We have a duty to every child to make every school a sanctuary from unnecessary sugar, so they can grow up healthier, stronger and free from the risks of diet-related disease.

Children in England are consuming sugar at worrying levels, with sweets, cakes, and biscuits among the biggest contributors. Research from Action on Sugar shows these high-sugar snacks often outweigh other calorie and nutrient-rich foods, leading to long-term risks such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The government’s voluntary Sugar Reduction Programme, launched in 2016, aimed to reduce sugar in food products by 20% but has largely failed. Cakes saw just a 3.2% reduction, while biscuits and chocolate confectionery achieved reductions of only 3.1% and 0.9%, respectively.

In contrast, the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, a mandatory sugar tax, resulted in a significant 34.3% reduction in sugar content, showing that regulatory measures can work.

Professor Graham MacGregor, Chair of Action on Sugar, explains:

The government’s voluntary sugar reduction efforts failed due to a lack of enforcement. But the success of the Soft Drinks Levy proves that mandatory, well-targeted action can make a significant impact on public health.

To combat rising sugar levels, campaigners have outlined a set of actions for the government:

• Ban cakes and biscuits at school lunches: This would align with stricter sugar guidelines and help prevent children from exceeding their daily limits.
• Extend the sugar tax to other high-sugar foods: Following the success of the levy on sugary drinks, this could incentivise manufacturers to reformulate cakes, biscuits, and chocolate products.
• Improve food environments around schools: Encouraging healthier snack choices in shops and reducing the availability of sugary options near schools.

Dr Hashem adds:

Sugary foods are almost inescapable for children—they’re readily available in schools and the easiest choice on the way home. Food companies and policymakers need to step up and prioritise children’s health.

If the campaign is successful, parents and schools will see a shift towards healthier meal options. While some might worry about the loss of occasional treats, experts argue that these changes will help children build better habits early in life.

Revenue from an expanded sugar tax could also be reinvested in public health initiatives, from supporting schools to offering healthier lunch options to funding local sports programmes.

The government has not yet committed to updating school food standards but has acknowledged the importance of promoting healthy eating.

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