Last month, the Food Standards Agency published updated allergen guidance for non-prepackaged foods. We asked Lorna Bell, a Registered Associate Nutritionist at ISCC to share what this means for our special school community. In this guest blog, she outlines the key changes and what schools need to put in place to ensure pupils with food allergies are kept safe, particularly when it comes to non-prepackaged meals and snacks served throughout the school day.
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As a Registered Associate Nutritionist working closely with SEN schools, I understand the unique challenges you face when it comes to catering for students with complex dietary requirements. That’s why I want to highlight the recently published allergen guidance for non-prepackaged foods from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The new guidance is a timely step forward in improving food safety and allergen transparency in all schools, but especially critical in SEN environments where communication and cognitive barriers may heighten the risk for pupils with food allergies.
It is now advised that non-prepackaged foods such as meals served at lunchtime, homemade snacks at tuck shops or foods served at other points of the school day, should be underpinned with clearly written allergen guidance. Previously, a conversation between catering staff and customers would have been sufficient, however, the new guidance puts an emphasis on the requirements of the information to be provided in writing.
The FSA has now provided tools to help customers recognise the mandated 14 allergens, including an example allergen matrix, customer posters and new standardisation of the allergen icons. Download your allergen icons and posters | Food Standards Agency
It’s important to note that this advice is specifically for non-prepacked foods. Foods that are prepacked for direct sale (PPDS), like sandwiches made and wrapped on-site, have different labelling requirements, which are covered by separate laws.
While this FSA guidance is interim, it reflects a changing landscape where allergen safety is a legal and ethical priority. SEN schools have an opportunity to lead by example, showing how inclusive, safe food environments can be achieved with care, coordination, and compassion.
If you're looking to review your allergen management systems or want support in staff training, we at ISCC are always here to help. And if you’d like to dive deeper, you can explore the official guidance here: Updated industry guidance issued for food allergen information in the out-of-home sector | Food Standards Agency
ISCC provide catering and cleaning consultancy support exclusively to the independent and special school sectors. They provide a ‘one-stop shop’ service for everything connected to these services, including kitchen design and food and cleaning material procurement.
ISCC is one of our valued NASS partners and offers discounts to NASS member schools. Further information can be found in the Member Zone: www.nasschools.org.uk/member-zone/