A mother has called for better allergy-friendly meal options at McLaren High School in Callander after her daughter, who has dairy and egg allergies, repeatedly struggled to find suitable food at lunchtime.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said her daughter has had the allergies since birth. During primary school, the family prepared packed lunches, but the teenager has grown tired of them and wants to eat school meals.
However, the available choices are often limited and run out before she can reach the dining hall, the mother told the Observer.
Frustration with ordering system
The mother described repeated difficulties using the school's ordering app to secure an allergy-free meal. She said there was a warning that the school could not guarantee meals were free from dairy, egg, or even nuts.
“She just began ordering from the main menu, but it runs out quickly and she can’t get down there fast enough,” the mother said. “There just aren’t many options for her; sometimes it can be a pizza, a pitta with cheese or a baguette with mayo.”
She added that similar problems at primary school had been eased by specialist training from an allergy charity, but the charity has reportedly scaled back its training due to funding concerns.
Council response
A Stirling Council spokesperson said the council has a specific dietary policy to support children with medically prescribed and complex dietary requirements, including allergies. They said staff work closely with families so all pupils can access meals that safely meet their needs, and individual arrangements are reviewed regularly.
The spokesperson added that all pre-packaged food prepared on council premises is fully labelled with ingredient information and allergens clearly highlighted. Where an adapted diet is required, meetings are arranged with parents, a catering officer and the school catering supervisor to agree suitable options.
Parents and carers are asked to arrange a meeting with a catering officer through their child's school to discuss any specific dietary requirements.
