Council pays £30,000 after Dumfries and Galloway child repeatedly given allergenic food
Concerns about nutritional balance and allergy accommodations prompt action
Dumfries and Galloway Council recently forked out £30,000 in compensation to a family after a child was repeatedly given food they were allergic to.
A review of school meals is now underway due to concerns about nutritional balance and issues with food allergies and medical dietary needs.
The full details of the school meals incidents have not been revealed, but with more than 400 pupils in the region now registered with special dietary requirements, tighter measures are being sought.
Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson, leader of the Labour Group, raised the matter at last week’s full council meeting.
She said: “Recently, I’ve had parents raise concerns about inconsistent portion sizes and the quality of some of the school meals. This was also highlighted by our youth councillors at the recent joint full council meeting.
“Some of the feedback I’ve received has been positive and I have previously shared that at committee. But what is clear is that the experience is inconsistent.
“Concerns have also been raised about nutritional balance and about how well dietary and allergy needs are being accommodated. This includes how we cater for children who are neurodiverse and may have very specific sensory or dietary requirements.
“None of these issues reflect our hardworking catering staff. They do an excellent job under often what I imagine to be challenging circumstances.”
Councillor Wilson tabled a motion calling for a full review of the school meals service, which would include scrutinising menus, nutritional standards, food sourcing, portion guidance and the consistency of delivery across schools.
The intention is that the review would also strengthen training for staff particularly around nutrition, allergies, medical dietary needs and safe food handling. Councillor Wilson said: “Importantly, it asks for a standardised authoritywide allergy policy that that clarity is essential for staff, for schools, and for parents.
“And given that the council recently paid out £30,000 in compensation after a child was given food numerous times were allergic to, it is right that we do everything possible to prevent prevent such incidents from happening again.
“This motion is about supporting our staff, safeguarding our children and ensuring that every school delivers a consistent, safe, nutritious meal service.”
North West Dumfries Councillor Paula Stevenson, who seconded the motion, said it was about “safeguarding staff as much as pupils” by bringing forth a council-wide food allergy policy.
Alan Mawson, the council’s interim head of facilities, waste, and neighbourhood services, replied: “Officers welcome this motion and the opportunity to come back to committee to showcase all the good work the service does that has been recognised as one of the top performing and innovative school meal services in the country.”
Abbey Councillor Kim Lowe asked about the level of complaints, and how they were handled.
Mr Mawson replied: “We’ve got a formal complaints procedure. It’s worth noting that the school mail service produces in the region of 3.2 million meals a year and last year it picked up no more than 12 complaints through the formal complaints procedure.”
It was explained that the council uses multiple food suppliers, which helps in sourcing products that don’t contain allergens. There’s also a dedicated qualified nutritionist within the service too.
Former council leader Gail Macgregor, leader of the Conservatives group, said she welcomed this review.