SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL DIETS

SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL DIETS

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A MEDICALLY DIAGNOSED DIETARY NEED, SUCH AS A FOOD ALLERGY OR INTOLERANCE, COELIAC DISEASE, OR A METABOLIC SYNDROME SUCH AS TYPE 1 DIABETES? This leaflet contains information about how we can adapt our menus to cater for children with medically diagnosed dietary requirements. Once you ve read it, please fill in the attached form and return it to your child s school, along with written confirmation of your child s dietary requirements from a health professional. WHO WE ARE We re Manchester Fayre, Manchester City Council s catering team. We provide lunch in schools across the city, including the school your child is attending. HOW WE CAN SUPPORT SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Over 90% of our school meals are made from scratch, so we know exactly what ingredients go in them and can easily adapt them. Our qualified nutritionist scrutinises every ingredient and recipe to assess their suitability for various dietary requirements, so they can plan special menus and keep our catering teams informed about the allergen content of the food which is a legal requirement. When a school receives a special diet request, our nutritionist provides the school catering team with a suitable adapted menu, advice on food preparation and, when needed, ensures that they have extra training. The nutritionist can email the adapted menu to you, so that you can discuss the menu choices with your child. We need full and accurate information about your child s dietary needs so that we don t leave certain foods out of their diet unnecessarily. That s why we need written confirmation from a health professional, such as a paediatrician, GP, allergy nurse specialist or dietician, when you hand in your Special Diet Request Form.

THE TYPES OF DIETS WE CAN CATER FOR We do not include nuts or products containing nuts in any of our school meals, so children with nut allergies have the full menu range to choose from. All other food allergies, eg. gluten, wheat, egg, soya and fish, can also be catered for, but meals and menus will be adapted accordingly. Similarly, recipes and menus will also be adapted for a child with a food intolerance, such as wheat or lactose. For children with an allergy or intolerance to milk or dairy products, we provide soya yoghurts and soya milk, and the fats we use in the cooking of our meals are all vegetablebased, which helps to expand the menu range available to them. For children with wheat or gluten intolerance/allergies, or coeliac disease, we have gluten-free pasta and cake-mix, which again means they have more of the menu to choose from, and don t have to feel different to their friends. THE 14 MAJOR FOOD ALLERGENS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ISSUES FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN EUROPE ARE: Gluten Eggs Peanuts Sesame Celery Lupin Crustaceans Milk Fish Tree nuts Soya Mustard Sulphites Molluscs

OTHER MEDICALLY DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS We have the nutrient profiles of all our recipes (meaning we analyse the nutrients in each meal to understand how suitable they are for various dietary needs). Therefore, we can support: children with type 1 diabetes, by providing the carbohydrate content of every menu item children with genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, by providing the fat content of every menu item. Every time we update the menus, the nutrient information is also updated and available on request. MORE INFORMATION For school menus and their related allergen content charts, and for more information about the school meal service, including the full Medical diets in schools policy, visit myschoollunch.co.uk/manchester To speak with Manchester Fayre s nutritionist, call 0161 234 5823. Or for more information about food allergies, intolerances and the support available to schools and families, visit allergyuk.org anaphylaxis.org.uk coeliac.org.uk allergynorthwest.nhs.uk WHO WE WORK WITH We work with health professionals, including the allergy nurse specialist team, the diabetes team, hospitalbased dieticians, and the community nutrition team.

SCHOOL MEAL SPECIAL DIET REQUEST FORM In order to provide a menu or information to meet your child s dietary requirements, please complete this form and return to the school office. Part A: Pupil Information Pupil name: Date of Birth: School: Parent/Carer name(s): Contact number(s): Email: (please complete if you wish to receive a copy of the menu) Medical confirmation provided by: (please state health professional, and attach a copy of the written confirmation to this form)* Please tick in the box below to indicate special diet information required: Adapted menu for food allergy or food intolerance (please complete part B below) Nutritional information for type 1 diabetes Other, please provide details below: *Without the supporting written confirmation, Manchester Fayre cannot guarantee that your child s dietary requirements can be catered for.

Part B: Pupils with food allergy or intolerance Please place a in the box(s) below to indicate foods that must be avoided: Gluten (i.e. wheat, oat, rye & barley) Peanut Wheat Tree Nut Egg Fish Dairy Soya Other, please specify: Symptoms experienced if food trigger is eaten: If required, is a care plan in place in school, place a in the box below: Yes No N/A Office use only: Date diet requested: Date Dietary information provided: NUTRITIONIST 2015/2016 A P P R O V E D