'I feel like I'm failing my kids because I gave them a Penguin'

A mum from Bootle said she feels like she's 'failing' her children because she included Penguin biscuits in their packed lunches. Amy Buchanan says she is both confused and frustrated by a 'packed lunch' school policy which she believes is having a negative impact on her two children.

The ECHO understands that if items in a child's lunchbox does not adhere to the school's healthy eating lunch box policy, parents, carers and/or guardians may be approached to discuss this further.

A spokesperson for All Saints Catholic Primary in Bootle said: “The health and safety of our children is our top priority and our healthy lunch box policy is an important part of ensuring our children are safe, healthy and ready to learn. The vast majority of schools in Sefton have policies around school lunchboxes for this same reason."

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Amy said she understands the principle of the school's approach, but believes it is too rigid and being applied without due consideration for individual circumstances. Amy said: "Teachers have come up to me and said I need to make better choices of foods for my packed lunches."

Amy shared photos with the ECHO which she said are a typical example of what she puts in her children’s packed lunches. The photos show sandwiches, an assortment of fruits, cheese and ham snacks and a yoghurt. As a way of incentivising the children to eat fruit, Amy said she also includes a small packet of low-calorie, mini-Penguin biscuits.

Amy said she is "doing her best and putting deep thought into how to make the food interesting" but feels like she is failing her kids because she "gives them a Penguin." She added: "You can see from the photos I give my kids healthy lunches, but they're saying I have to change what my children are eating.

"I'm angry. I'm concerned about my child's health both mentally and physically."

The "healthy lunch box" policy is not one exclusive to All Saints Primary and is a well-known practice in schools around Sefton and across the country. The aim is to promote healthy eating options but there is also an element of managing what potential allergens are coming into the school environment.

A spokesperson for All Saints said: "We have several children with significant food allergies and it is important that our whole school community understands the risks of certain foods like biscuits and cakes which are more likely to contain nut traces and avoid them where possible to keep everyone safe."

The Department of Education’s nutritional standards for schools prohibits sweets, chocolate or savoury snacks such as crisps, fizzy drinks and other high sugar drinks to be served at lunch times. The guidance states a school's lunch box policy should also reflect this, but stipulates some treats can be included at lunchtimes including biscuits that are lower in fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt.

A spokesperson for All Saints Catholic Primary added: “We know that parents must be given the right support to understand and enact this policy and we have provided parents/carers with advice around lunchbox ideas and NHS information around the benefits of a healthy lunchbox as well as explaining the rationale for our policy in multiple correspondence with parents/carers.

“If parents/carers have concerns or would like more information regarding lunches, I would advise them to contact us directly.”