title: School food standards in the UK: implementation and evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To outline the evolution of school food standards and their implementation and evaluation in each of the four countries of the UK since 2000.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of relevant policies, surveys and evaluations, including country-specific surveys and regional evaluations.
  
  
  METHODS
  UK: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary and secondary schools and schoolchildren.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By September 2013 standards will have been introduced in all primary and secondary schools in the UK. Evaluations have varied in their scope and timing, relating to government forward planning, appropriate baselines and funding. Where standards have been implemented, the quality and nutritional value of food provided have improved. Emerging evidence shows improved overall diet and nutrient intake by school-aged children as a result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The re-introduction of school food standards in the UK has not been centrally coordinated, but by September 2013 will be compulsory across all four countries in the UK, except in England where academies are now exempt. Provision of improved school food has had a demonstrable impact on diet and nutrition beyond the school dining room and the school gate, benefiting children from all socio-economic groups. Improved school food and dining environments are associated with higher levels of school lunch take up. Implementation of school food standards requires investment. It is critical to policy development that the value of this investment is measured and protected using planned, appropriate, robust and timely evaluations. Where appropriate, evaluations should be carried out across government departments and between countries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society and Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: Lowri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McBratney
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D062409:Lunch; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health; D012574:Schools; D006113:United Kingdom