Outrage as only national event 'dedicated to school food' pushes waffles, burgers, cakes and other junk

Published: 23:30 BST, 19 August 2026 | Updated: 23:42 BST, 19 August 2026

Experts have raised alarm after an investigation found more than a third of the suppliers to the UK's biggest school food show sell products high in fat, sugar or salt.

The investigation found that, in total, 52 of the 137 companies at The School Food People Show and Forum in Birmingham last month supplied items including hot dogs, pizza, muffins and fizzy drinks.

Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health and director of public health for Sheffield City Council, said the menu is perpetuating an 'obesogenic environment'.

The annual exhibition is billed as the only national event 'dedicated solely to school food'. 

It attracts over 1,000 catering industry delegates and provides a 'platform' for suppliers to show off their products, build relationships with school caterers and network for new contracts. 

The investigation by the British Medical Journal found the main trade group for school food caterers, which organises the show, is sponsored by firms supplying pizzas, cakes, waffles and ice cream.

At the exhibition, the BMJ claims there were seven wholesalers selling chocolate bars, crisps and sweets, five ice cream firms, four soft drinks companies and other suppliers that make items including pizzas, cake mixes and vending machines with sweets. 

As well as this, there were also two specialist hot dog firms, a Belgian waffle maker and others selling cakes, cookies and muffins. 

More than a third of the suppliers exhibiting at the UK's biggest school food show sell products high in fat, sugar or salt, according to a new investiagtion

Some sold cans of soft drink – promoted as being 'school compliant' – with more than half a day's sugar allowance.

The findings come as the Government plans to introduce new school food standards that will limit junk foods and replace them with healthier options and more fruit and vegetables

Marie Murphy, assistant professor of child and adolescent nutrition at the University of Birmingham, said the findings were 'shocking' and 'clearly go against school food standards'.

D'Arcy Williams, chief executive of the youth activist food charity Bite Back, says the findings 'expose a pretty extraordinary contradiction'.

'At the very moment we're preparing to raise the bar on school food, too much of the industry surrounding our schools is still promoting the same unhealthy products we're trying to move away from.'

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