Packed and school lunches

Lunches at school should not present any challenges to you or your child.

If your child is having school dinners:

• Schools do not currently have to provide gluten-free meals.
• Speak to the school cook about the types of food that they could provide for your child. They may not need to make something specific, just make small changes in practice to ensure the food cooked is safe e.g. cooking chips in separate oil.
• Some schools bring in food that is ready-prepared but often they can provide gluten-free food once they understand the need for it. You may need to provide them with the relevant information.
• If you feel you’re not getting the support that you would like, contact your local dietitian who may be able to liaise with the school or the local authority’s catering team.
• The Institute of Hospitality (formerly known as Hotel and Catering International Management Association) has produced catering guidelines called 'Serving people with coeliac disease: Understanding gluten-free food service'.
  
  A copy of these guidelines is available to Members of Coeliac UK, and can be downloaded from the 'publications' page on the Members log-in area of our website.
  
  Copies are also available to Members of the Institute of Hospitality, or can be purchased by non-members - please see the Institute of Hospitality website for further details.
• The Food Business section of our web site is designed to help people who cater for coeliac diease.  You might want to encourage the school caterer to visit this part of our site.

If your child is having packed lunches:

• You may prefer to provide a packed lunch for your child. You can find lots of ideas for what to provide in our 'packed lunches' leaflet in our parents' and carers' pack.  The pack is free to members (join here) or you can buy the set at our shop. Make sure your child knows not to swap items in their packed lunch in case they swap for something that contains gluten.