Growing importance of healthy school-compliant drinks

September marks the start of another school year with parents, teachers and retailers alike rethinking the essentials that support the return of children to the classroom.
Amid the usual focus on new school uniforms and shoes, the latest pencil case and what’s in the packed lunch box, an often overlooked – but important area – is healthy hydration.
For the FMCG sector, particularly manufacturers and distributors of beverages, this represents not only a public health responsibility but also a key growth opportunity – especially in the category of school-compliant drinks.
 
Why hydration matters for learning and development
Water makes up about 60% of a child’s body weight, and even mild dehydration can have a significant effect on both physical and cognitive function. In a school setting, where concentration, memory and energy levels are critical, insufficient hydration can impair a child’s ability to learn and participate fully.
Hydrated students perform better in school, while dehydration can negatively affect focus and memory. Studies have shown that just a 1–2% drop in hydration levels can reduce short-term memory, attention span, and cognitive processing. For young children whose bodies are less efficient at conserving water, and who often fail to recognise thirst, these impacts can be even more pronounced.
As children spend 6–8 hours per day in school, access to and consumption of the right fluids becomes central to their overall well-being and academic performance. Schools, and the drinks that are permitted within them, play a decisive role in shaping hydration habits that can last a lifetime.
 
What are school-compliant drinks?
In the UK, the School Food Standards prohibits drinks that contain added sugar or caffeine.
The strict guidelines suggest a range of acceptable drinks, which include: plain water, lower-fat milk or lactose-free alternatives and 100% fruit or vegetable juice.
Other compliant options can include low-sugar flavoured milk, tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Combination drinks are limited to a portion size of 330mls. They may contain added vitamins or minerals, and no more than 150mls of fruit or vegetable juice. Fruit or vegetable juice combination drinks must be at least 45% fruit or vegetable juice.
 
What are the key trends driving growth?
Health & wellness
Today’s parents are more educated about nutrition and are actively looking for healthier options. Beverages that are low in sugar, made with natural ingredients, and enriched with added health benefits are gaining popularity. School-compliant drinks can also enjoy strong out-of-school retail sales, especially among health-conscious parents and from children who recognise and love the brand from their school days.  
 
Functional hydration
Enhanced waters with added minerals or vitamins are finding a foothold, as long as they remain compliant with school guidelines. There is also increasing interest in plant-based and sustainably packaged options, appealing to environmentally conscious Gen Alpha and their Millennial/Gen Z parents.
 
Portability & convenience
Single-serve, lunchbox-sized formats are critical. Parents are looking for drinks that are easy to pack, resealable and mess-free.
 
Brand trust & transparency
Transparent labelling, recognisable ingredients, and certifications (such as no added sugar, organic, BPA-free packaging) play a huge role in parent and school buyer decision-making. Surveys show that parents of secondary school aged children would pay more for healthy school meals. An independent survey showed that 72% of parents of secondary-school-aged children would pay more than £3 for healthy school meals, with 43% willing to pay over £4 (YouGov, 2021). Offering profitable school-compliant drinks brings nutritional and economic benefits to a school’s food service.
 
Choice
By offering healthier, SFS-compliant drinks that are both popular and appealing and which compete with the offerings on the high street – such as still and sparkling water and sweetener-free drinks including Radnor Fizz, Radnor Fruit, Radnor Water and new Radnor Hydrate – schools can create an environment where students are less inclined to leave campus during lunch breaks in search of unregulated, less healthy alternatives at local fast-food outlets and convenience stores. This is especially important for urban schools surrounded by numerous high-street options. The Times reported that a school in East London has ten fast-food shops within just 400 metres of its entrance (The Times, 2019). One such outlet advertises a “student offer” of two hot wings and chips for only £1.99.
 
Sustainability and why it matters for school hydration
Both children and parents are increasingly aware of climate and environmental issues, and a brand’s sustainability credentials have never been more important. FMCG companies are being expected to raise the bar in a number of areas, including:
* Packaging innovation: Consumers are looking for recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable formats, such as aluminium cans, which can be infinitely recycled, or plant-based cartons.
* Supply chain transparency: Brands who can clearly communicate their sourcing practices and carbon footprints will win the most trust.
* Waste reduction: School-specific programs like bottle return incentives or refill stations are being embraced.
The brands that can combine hydration, health and sustainability into a single compelling proposition will be the ones that thrive in the next phase of school beverage consumption.
 
Looking forward
School-compliant drinks are an essential part of school food standards. They can improve health, choice and hydration in schools, drive positive behavioural change across a person’s life, and help subsidise the catering offered in schools.
FMCG brands have the opportunity to respond by offering school-compliant beverages which offer refreshment and fuel long-term good health habits – all while tapping into a loyal and growing market segment.
Supplying drinks directly to schools or through an approved vending contract can also provide a regular B2B sales channel and enhance brand awareness from an early age. They also play a crucial role in supporting the economic framework of school food services, contributing significantly to the revenue streams of contract caterers and local authorities responsible for providing food and drinks to schools. Priced at affordable levels, even with added margins, these drinks help ensure the financial sustainability of school canteens and subsidise other meal offerings.
There are also opportunities to develop deeper relationships with schools. For example, Radnor Hills partners with both the Anti-Bullying Alliance to create safer and more inclusive school environments and with Go Ape to encourage children to embrace physical activities.
Radnor Hills’ school-compliant drinks have gained a following among the student population to the extent that adults now purchase “Radnor Fizz” as a nostalgic option in workplaces for example.

For more information
Department for Education

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools/school-food-standards-practical-guide
 
Gov.Wales
https://www.gov.wales/food-drink-schools