Council Compensation Following Allergy Incident
Dumfries and Galloway Council has paid £30,000 in compensation to a family after a child was repeatedly served food containing allergens at school. The council confirmed the error involving school meals but did not disclose the specific allergen or whether the child's health was adversely affected.
Review of School Meal Provision
In response to concerns about nutritional balance and the management of food allergies and medical dietary requirements, the council has initiated a review of its school meals service. Currently, over 400 pupils in the region are registered with special dietary needs, prompting calls for stricter controls.
A motion proposed by Councillor Carolyne Wilson, calling for a "comprehensive review" of school meal provision, received unanimous backing from the council.
Council Meeting and Statements
The compensation details were disclosed during a full council meeting held in Dumfries last week. Referencing the case, Councillor Wilson stated:
"It is right that the council does everything possible to prevent such incidents from happening again."
A report on the service will be submitted promptly, focusing on the development and implementation of a standardized, authority-wide allergy policy. The review aims to enhance staff training, particularly regarding nutrition, allergies, medical dietary needs, and safe food handling practices.
The objective is to prevent any recurrence of incidents where a child is repeatedly given food they are allergic to.
Council Response and Service Overview
Alan Mawson, the council's interim head of facilities, waste, and neighbourhood services, expressed support for the motion, noting it provides an opportunity to present the positive aspects of the service. He remarked:
"Officers welcome the motion on the issue. It will provide the opportunity to come back to committee and 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."
Mawson also highlighted the formal complaints procedure in place, stating:
"It's worth noting that the school meal 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."
The council sources food from multiple suppliers to ensure products free from allergens are available. Additionally, the school meals service employs a dedicated qualified nutritionist to oversee dietary standards.
Reporting by local democracy journalist Marc McLean.
