Sandwiches removed from Aberdeen schools

Sandwiches are off the menu in Aberdeen schools. It's partly to encourage children to eat a hot lunch over winter. But it's also because new EU rules over packaged foods. Kids in Aberdeenshire can still get sandwiches at school.

We've got this statment through from Aberdeen City Council’s Convener of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Councillor Neil Cooney:

"Sandwiches are not banned from schools. All councils will have to comply with an EU directive which will require food businesses as of December to be able to label packaged food, demonstrating that it has protected consumers from 14 recognised allergens. As a result the City Council’s Catering Services took the decision to remove cold sandwiches from the menu, when the pupils returned from the October holidays.

"This is the time of year when the menu traditionally changes from the spring/summer to the autumn/winter menu - the aim being to offer a hot rather than a cold meal to pupils as in some cases this may be the only hot meal these pupils will get.

"Parents can still provide their child with a packed lunch containing a sandwich if they choose to do so."

Joe Odber