A mum branded her son's school as "condescending" after it issued strict guidelines telling parents what can and cannot go into their children's lunchboxes.
Jennifer Louise Ireton says the rules issued in September (in full below) had added an extra £25 a week to her food shop and it's left her feeling worried that her son's food will be taken away if it doesn't match up to the criteria.
The rules outline an extensive list of how lunchboxes should be made up and the items the school ask not to be included, as well as stating that children should not bring in treats to mark their birthday as a non-school uniform day will be given to celebrate instead.
Jennifer, from Exeter, was sent the guidelines ahead of her four-year-old son Robin starting reception at his new primary school, and the 30-year-old said she feels "belittled" by the advice.
The school's lunchbox guidelines
At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables every day
Some protein - meat, fish, cheese or other source of protein (e.g. hummus, peanut butter, homemade sausage rolls) - every day
Oily fish, such as salmon, smoked mackerel or tuna at least once every three weeks
A starchy food such as any type of bread (preferably brown bread), pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other type of cereals every day
Daily food such as milk, cheese, yogurt, fromage frais or custard every day
Only water (still or sparkling), fruit juice, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, yogurt or milk drinks and smoothies
Homemade cake or other dessert
Nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added salt, sugar or fat)
What's banned
Crisps - but 'baked snacks are fine'
Chocolate bars and chocolate-coated biscuits
Sweets
Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages/chipolatas should be included only occasionally
Fizzy drinks
Mum-of-two Jennifer posted on Facebook to ask others what they made of the rules, with one parent replying: "You are not allowed to bring up your own children how you wish any more".
But another argued: "They are just trying to keep the kids happy and healthy."
Jennifer said: "He's just started school and when I first received the guidelines, I felt condescended to.
"It seems unnecessary to tell parents exactly what they should be putting in their lunch boxes - we all try and feed our kids healthy stuff. It's very dictated.
"I would normally just feed them a sandwich, packet of crisps, veggie sticks and then a chocolate bar as a treat at home.
"It's a lot of pressure, it gives me a lot of anxiety knowing they will take food off the kids if it doesn't fit the requirements.
"Robin has a nut allergy but there are no restrictions on nuts which is unusual and worrying.
"If I had the time, I would bake cakes and sausage rolls but I have an 18-month-old toddler that I need to look after, as well as other household chores.
"We're spending £5 a day on his school lunch which really does add up. We have to get a variety of different ingredients and it's difficult to plan everyday.
"The lunchboxes are my responsibility so my husband has left it up to me but he also found the guidelines very condescending."
