Healthier drinks include water, low-fat milk, fruit juice and combinations of these.
What is specified in this standard?
The only drinks provided should be those described under the ‘What drinks can I provide’ section below or see the updated drinks table (Adobe pdf doc 69KB).
Why this standard needs to be in place
- To remove drinks from school which have no nutritional value and can cause tooth decay.
- To specifically encourage children to drink water or drinks that provide other nutrients such as milk, yoghurt or dairy equivalent drinks that address calcium requirements, and fruit or vegetable juices that provide vitamin C and other important nutrients such as carotenoids.
What drinks can I provide?
- Plain drinks such as water (still or carbonated), fruit juice, vegetable juice, low fat milk (milk with a fat content of not more than 1.8%), plain soya, rice or oat drinks enriched with calcium and plain yoghurt drinks. For further clarification please see the updated list and definition of drinks permitted in schools or updated drinks table (Adobe pdf doc 69KB). This table has been revised to reflect and interpret the 2007 School Food Regulations.
- Combinations of water (still or carbonated) and fruit and/or vegetable juice. These combination drinks must contain at least 50% juice, and no added sugar and may contain vitamins or minerals.
- Combinations of milk (low fat or lactose reduced), or plain yoghurt, water, fruit or vegetable juice. In these combinations the milk or yoghurt must be at least 50% by volume and the combined drink may contain vitamins and minerals. Less than 5% sugar or honey may be added to the milk or yoghurt components.
- Combinations of plain soya, rice or oat drink, water, fruit or vegetable juice. In these combinations the soya, rice or oat drink must be at least 50% by volume, and the combined drink may contain vitamins and minerals. Less than 5% sugar or honey may be added to the soya, rice or oat component.
- Combinations of milk (low fat or lactose reduced), plain yoghurt or plain soya, rice or oat drinks (with or without plain water) with cocoa. In these combinations the milk, yoghurt, soya, rice or oat drink must be at least 50% by volume and the combined drink may contain vitamins and minerals. Less than 5% sugar or honey may be added to the milk, yoghurt, soya, rice or oat component. No colourings are permitted.
The above combination drinks are classified as non-alcoholic flavoured drinks under EU law and are allowed to contain the additives and flavourings as specified by Council Directive 89/107/EEC and Council Directive 88/388/EEC. For a full list download the updated drinks table (Adobe pdf doc 69KB).
Good Practice
- Provide drinks that are unsweetened, unfortified and additive free.
- Schools are strongly encouraged to provide drinks which do not contain preservatives, flavourings, colourings and sweeteners, in line with the original intention of the School Meals Review Panel which was for children to drink ‘pure’ drinks in schools which offer nutritional benefit. The School Food Trust has developed a voluntary code of practice for drinks provided in schools (the SFT drinks code) which encourages the provision of healthier drinks that are unsweetened and additive free wherever possible. There is more information about the voluntary code of practice for drinks provided in schools available at: www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/vcop
- Restrict access to sugar to add to hot drinks.
Serving suggestions
- Offer a variety of fruit juices, for example apple, orange, pineapple or mixed juices.
- Smoothies made from yoghurt and/or milk combined with fruit or fruit juice using a variety of fruits to introduce children to new flavours. Let the children watch and learn how to make smoothies.
- Offer a variety of fruit or plain lassis
- Chill drinks as they are more popular.
Does this standard apply across the school day?
Yes. Only the drinks listed in the updated drinks table (Adobe pdf doc 69KB) may be available during the school day.
