Cardiff primary schools to serve healthier menus under new Welsh rules

Cardiff primary pupils will see more fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and plant-based dishes as updated Welsh school food regulations take effect this autumn.

Cardiff primary schools will roll out a revised lunch menu this autumn as Wales tightens its school food rules, with the changes due to begin on 2 November 2026. Cardiff Council says the new offering has been redesigned to comply with updated Welsh Government healthy eating regulations, which come into force on 31 October 2026 and are intended to bring school meals into closer line with current nutritional guidance.

The Welsh Government says the new standards are meant to improve the balance of food and drink served in maintained nursery and primary schools across Wales. The rules cover portion sizes, food types and nutritional content, with a particular emphasis on giving pupils healthier choices that better reflect advice on sugar, fibre and processed meat. Officials say the policy is part of a wider effort to support children’s health, wellbeing and learning.

In Cardiff, the revised menu will feature more fruit and vegetables, more wholegrain options and more plant-based protein dishes, while cutting back on items high in sugar, processed meat, deep-fried food, sweet desserts and baked goods. The council says the changes will also introduce portion sizes tailored to younger and older primary school pupils, so meals are better matched to children’s needs at different ages.

Some familiar dishes will remain on the rota, including chicken korma, bolognaise and sausage and mash, while macaroni cheese and baked chicken salsa will be added. Families will still be able to pre-order meals through ParentPay. Judith Gregory, regional chair of The School Food People Wales, said the team wanted menus that children would enjoy while still meeting the new standards and offering more fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and plant-based choices. Councillor Sarah Merry, Cardiff’s cabinet member for education, employment and skills, said the updated menu would help continue to provide nutritious meals that support health, wellbeing and learning, building on the reach of Universal Free School Meals.

The changes come as Welsh officials step up pressure on the food environment more broadly. Earlier this year, the Welsh Government introduced new rules for medium and large retailers to limit the promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt, as part of wider efforts to make healthier choices easier and tackle obesity. In schools, the government has also supported campaigns aimed at increasing children’s vegetable intake, reflecting concern that many pupils still eat too few vegetables each day.