School Meals

Food allergies and intolerances can both have severe consequences. For people with a food allergy, even a minimal amount of the food containing the allergen to which people are sensitive can make them very ill and, in some cases, cause a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction. Food intolerance usually results in a less severe reaction but can still be very serious.

The Food Information Regulations 2014 stipulate that information about the fourteen common ingredients causing food allergies or intolerances must be made available when requested. These are celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts, peanuts, sesame, soybeans and sulphites. Additionally, accurate records must be kept of all ingredients used in all dishes and food items prepared in the kitchens.

In addition to the legal/ statutory requirements, The Harrison's Food Allergies & Food Intolerances Policy outlines the further procedures in place to protect young children in primary schools and to ensure any dietary needs are communicated and a safe choice selected. We recognise and understand the importance of robust food allergen and intolerance management in protecting the welfare of children. This partnership approach is intended to ensure that a process is in place that is straightforward, minimises the potential for errors, supports schools with gathering the information required, and instils confidence in all partners that the child's safety is taken seriously. 

Please read through the process of managing Food Allergies and Food Intolerance, summarised below:

Before the child starts school/ is served for the first time

Whiteknights informs the parent / guardian where they can find information about food allergies on the Harrison Catering Services website Food Allergies & Food Intolerances Policy 

The parent / guardian reads the Notice on the Harrison website about food allergies and food intolerances.

The parent / guardian completes the *Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Management Form on the Harrison website and returns it to the school office together with medical evidence of the child’s allergy and a current photograph of the child.

Whiteknights Primary will provide a copy of the completed form and photograph to the catering manager/ cook manager at their site.

A copy of the completed form and the photograph are placed in the Food Allergy Folder which should be available at the servery counter when the children are being served.

If anything changes

The parent / guardian informs the school of any changes to the child’s food allergy or food intolerance and provides a current photograph of the child every year.

*Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Management Form

At every service

The child is presented at the servery counter (in order of preference):

Wearing a lanyard which details their name and food allergy and is clearly visible to the member catering staff before the child is served any food.

A double check is made against the food allergy folder to confirm the identity and the child’s food allergy.

The Company Ingredient List or Recipe Card is checked to identify which of the 14 common food allergens are present and for any changes to Ingredients List or Recipe Card before the child is served.

We want to ensure we provide your child with the best education and support possible. Healthy school food has obvious benefits, can help pupils establish healthy habits for life, and help to improve pupils’ readiness to learn.

If your family receives certain benefits, your child could benefit from free lunches for the duration of their Primary years and gain access to support with trips and events. Registering for free meals could also raise extra funds through Pupil Premium. 

We encourage families who receive benefits across all year groups to apply for benefits-related Free School Meals.

+ Free School Meals Application Form