Food additives

Baldytyke88

My daughter is a teacher and she mentioned that teachers give their pupils chocolates etc. at this time of year. I work in the SEN education sector and we are told never to give children any food, different sections or education, but same principle.

Children have food preferences, intolerances and allergies; is it ok to give children food, if you don't know their preferences/health?

twopenny

I think it depends on how well you know your children.
Most children are very aware of what they should have or not have. 
I've taught children from 3-16, coeliac, diabetic etc and if a group we would ensure treats were appropriate for everyone. The children never tried to cheat on their important diet.

BethRobinson

Baldytyke88 said:

My daughter is a teacher and she mentioned that teachers give their pupils chocolates etc. at this time of year. I work in the SEN education sector and we are told never to give children any food, different sections or education, but same principle.

Children have food preferences, intolerances and allergies; is it ok to give children food, if you don't know their preferences/health?

And this is a pressing concern at 11pm on a Saturday?

eddddy

Baldytyke88 said:

Children have food preferences, intolerances and allergies; is it ok to give children food, if you don't know their preferences/health?

Based on conversations I have had with teachers...

• Schools routinely require parents to fill-in health questionnaires - which include questions about dietary requirements, food allergies (as well as other allergies and medical conditions - e.g. hay fever, asthma etc)

• The teachers check the health questionnaires before giving the children sweets, chocolate or other food     

As well as allergies, the teachers take into account dietary requirements (such as vegetarian or vegan) and religious/ cultural requirements (such as no pork gelatine and/or no beef gelatine).

Teachers then carefully read ingredient lists on sweets packets before buying them, and sometimes have to select different sweets for different children.


This question might have only just occurred to you, but it's part of a teacher's job to think about this type of stuff. Teachers are trained professionals, plus schools will probably have written 'school wide policies' on this kind of stuff. 



And realistically, even younger children with allergies etc generally seem to have had the relevant information 'drummed into them' by their parents, so they are well aware of what foods they must avoid. (For example, because other children might offer them sweets in the playground.)  So if a child is uncertain whether a sweet is suitable for them, they will typically check with the teacher.