Playing By The Rules: A Handy Guide To School-Compliant Drinks

As summer approaches, school staff are thinking ahead to September. Whether we’re ordering the kids’ favourites or trying out new food and drink products, it’s crucial to ensure the drinks we provide comply with government guidelines. Here’s a quick and comprehensive look at the drinks allowed in schools.

Encouraging healthy habits

Water should be the go-to drink for every child. The more we offer water, the more children will drink it. Schools must ensure free, fresh drinking water is always available and encourage it as the first choice.

Making healthier choices

While plain water is always the healthiest option, children can still enjoy tasty, flavoured drinks in moderation. We can help them make better choices by offering drinks that are big on flavour but low in sugar and calories. It’s important we make sure these drinks meet government guidelines.

So, what’s allowed?

Juice and juice combinations

– Juice: Fruit or vegetable juice in servings up to 150ml
– Combination drinks: Fruit or vegetable juice combined with plain water (still or carbonated); these are limited to a portion size of 330ml, containing no more than 150ml of fruit or vegetable juice. In England, combination drinks must be at least 45% fruit or vegetable juice. In Wales, this requirement increases to 50%.These drinks may contain added vitamins or minerals, but no added sugars or honey.

Other approved drinks

– Plain water: Still or carbonated
-Milk: Lower fat or lactose-reduced
-Dairy alternatives: Plain soya, rice, or oat drinks enriched with calcium
-Other combination drinks: Fruit juice combined with lower-fat milk or plain yogurt/ Fruit juice combined with plain soya, rice, or oat drinks enriched with calcium/ Cocoa and lower-fat milk/ Flavoured lower-fat milk, all with less than 5% added sugars or honey.
– Hot drinks: Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate
More details can be found here, on the Department for Education’s website.

Where we come in

At Radnor Hills, we’ve been a favourite among schools for over 25 years. We are dedicated to making healthy drinks with real fruit juice, natural flavourings, and our own spring water – all with no added sugar. We offer an entire range of school- compliant drinks, from pure juice to sparkling fruit combinations, so there’s something for everyone.

Stocking up on back-to-school drinks?

Here’s how our range meets with regulations across England and Wales:

Get in touch with your account manager now to order ahead for the new term!