News

Kirklees Council school catering teams provide over 35,000 meals per day in 163 primary and secondary schools across the district, with approximately 900 of these meals for students with medical dietary requirements.  

To ensure that all pupils across the borough can safely access a healthy and nutritious lunch, the team use allergen management procedures and has developed a range of allergen-free menus.

Councillor Elizabeth Reynolds, cabinet member for learning, aspiration and communities, said: "I am really proud that our school catering teams work hard to make sure that the meals they provide are fully compliant with Government School Food Standards and are developed to be fun whilst encouraging pupils to eat healthy, nutritious meals.

"We all know that medical dietary requirements should not mean that a child should miss out on the opportunity of a nutritious lunch with their peers, which is why it is fantastic that our teams are taking these steps to incorporate allergen awareness into their procedures and menus for the benefit of all our children."

Since September 2020 around 650 staff members have undergone industry-accredited classroom training for levels 2 and 3 in allergen management.

Julian Edwards, chief executive at Allergen Accreditation, commented: “Kirklees has a real culture of safe allergen management and truly understands the needs of regulation and best practice as well as the need for the safe management of special diets for hypersensitive customers.

“Not only is this prestigious award recognition for this great organisation, but it is also an endorsement for school headteachers to use when communicating to parents and guardians that they do provide a safe place to eat and drink at lunch time.”