Audit Finds Processed Foods Favored Over Nutritious Options in Hot School Meals

Following complaints about nutritional quality, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary commissioned an audit of the government’s free hot school meals programme. The inspection covered more than 360 meals supplied by 15 contractors and involved visits to 54 schools, finding that processed items such as chicken goujons, sausages and fried potatoes were frequently chosen over the healthier menu options. Although the majority of meals were not high in fat, salt or sugar, the review called for greater provision of vegetables, fruit, salads and whole-grain carbohydrates, as well as larger portions for older children.

It also highlighted that nearly one-fifth of meals went uneaten, a figure that fell to 11.1% when school absenteeism was accounted for. A large-scale survey by Ipsos/Behaviour and Attitudes, involving thousands of pupils, parents, teachers and suppliers, reported that 85% of children liked their lunches and 63% of teachers saw a positive impact, yet parents voiced concerns about processed foods and fruit-vegetable content. The scheme, now available to all primary schools since 2025, serves over 550,000 children in more than 3,200 schools, with an estimated annual family benefit of €1,152.