Allergies and Dietary Preferences / Requirements
The Food Allergy and Intolerance Notification Form provides options for students with food allergies, intolerances or dietary preferences. Where a student has a cultural or religious food requirement, this should be noted in the free-text section of the form. Where a student has an allergy or intolerance, parents are asked to provide as much detail as possible regarding how it may present, including whether the student carries an adrenaline injector.
Students with severe allergies are offered a plated meal option. As many students find this option restrictive, the following information is provided on how the allergen counter operates for those who would like more choice. Where a student has an allergy, intolerance or a religious preference (for example, halal), they are asked to use the special diets counter for meal service. There they will be given a copy of the allergen list for the meals on offer and can choose those which are safe for them. Staff will not tell students what they may have, but are available to answer any questions. This approach promotes independence in allergy management, in line with advice from Allergy UK® and the Anaphylaxis Campaign®.
It is important to note that the RGS is not a nut-free school. Although nuts are not used in the school’s kitchens and are discouraged, the RGS is a town-centre school where older students have the privilege of going offsite to purchase food. Some products in the kitchen are also classed as ‘may contain’ nuts or other allergens; parents should indicate on the allergy form whether the student may have ‘may contain’ products.
Parents who would like to discuss these options further should contact Mrs Pontin (schoolnurse@rgsg.co.uk) or Ms Wright, the Catering Manager (EJW@rgsg.co.uk).
Food Allergy and Intolerance Notification Form
The Food Allergy and Intolerance Notification Form should be completed by the parent or guardian of students under the age of 18. The form asks parents to indicate whether the student has an intolerance to, or allergy to, any of the following, and whether each has been medically diagnosed or requires an EpiPen / auto-injector:
- Peanuts
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Milk
- Sesame seeds
- Molluscs
- Crustacean
- Celery
- Cereal containing gluten (the type of cereal – for example wheat, oat, barley or rye – should be specified)
- Soybeans
- Mustard
- Sulphites
- Fish
- Lupin
Where an allergy or intolerance has been medically diagnosed, the relevant medical document should be attached to the form. The form also provides space to list any other allergens not shown above; information should be as clear as possible (for example, specifying the particular vegetable or legume concerned). Parents are also asked to confirm whether the student has been diagnosed with coeliac disease, and to note any dietary or religious preferences (for example, vegetarian, vegan, or whether the student may have ‘may contain’ products).
Plated Meals for Complex Requirements
Where a student’s requirements are complex (for example, multiple allergies, severe allergies that have been medically diagnosed, or medically diagnosed allergens that do not fall under the 14 listed allergens of the Food Information Regulations), it may be necessary to provide the student with a plated meal. The menu cycle for the student will be planned, and a meal will be prepared in a separate area, or at a separate time, from meals containing the student’s allergens. The meal will be wrapped and labelled to protect it from cross-contamination and checked by two members of the catering team. The form asks parents to agree that the School may prepare a plated meal where it is deemed necessary for the student’s safety.
While Holroyd Howe can provide meals that do not include nominated allergens, it cannot guarantee that dishes do not contain traces of allergens, as they are stored and prepared in the same areas as nominated allergies. There is a risk of cross-contamination on display counters, particularly self-service areas such as salad bars and dessert counters. Although Holroyd Howe does not use nuts in any of the food it prepares and serves, it is unable to guarantee that dishes or products served are totally free from nuts or nut derivatives, owing to the use of precautionary allergy statements such as ‘may contain’ by its suppliers.
Once the completed form has been received, a meeting can be arranged between the Catering Manager, the School and the parent or guardian to discuss the student’s food requirements in more detail. The form seeks the parent’s consent for the student’s allergen information and photograph (where provided) to be passed to Holroyd Howe, to enable them to assist the School in providing food correctly.
All information supplied will be securely destroyed either when confirmation of no allergens or intolerances is received, or when the student leaves the School. Parents are asked to highlight any change in the student’s allergy or intolerance status to the School, in writing, without delay.