The School Food Plan and the allergic child

26th September 2013

Last week Nick Clegg, deputy PM, announced universal free meals for infant schools will be available from September 2014.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign believes this is excellent news for schools and children across the country – but we know that many parents who have a child with severe food allergies have concerns.

We have contacted the team behind the plan, by Twitter and by email.  One of the writers of the plan Henry Dimbleby has retweeted us a couple of times and we have also received this response back via email which we hope reassures many parents;

“We are well aware of concerns that parents and children have raised regarding appropriate provision for those with allergies. The team working on developing revised food standards will ensure that this is covered. Caterers we have engaged with are also highly attuned to this important issue.”

We are planning to attend the Westminster Food & Nutrition Keynote Seminar:  ‘The future of school food and children’s nutrition’ in October which is lead by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on School Food.  The School Food Plan is the focus of the agenda.  Again we will be raising parents’ concerns regarding their allergic child.

Also please note that packed lunches are not banned under the new scheme, so if you prefer to provide your child's food you still can.

Look out for further updates on our website.