There are over 680,000 children living with food allergies in the UK today. This equates to approximately one to two pupils in every classroom. Behind these numbers are real families, real challenges, and tragically, in some cases, real loss.
One of the most heart-breaking reminders of the urgent need for better allergen management in schools is the story of Benedict Blythe, a young boy who died from an allergic reaction at school in 2021. His passing, and the campaign launched in his name, has since become a catalyst for change, shining a light on the significant gaps in school allergy policies and the risks children face daily – risks that are preventable when the right systems, training, and support are put in place.
As a company rooted in supporting food safety and compliance, NCCO is committed to helping schools and families navigate this challenge, offering practical tools and solutions that can make a meaningful difference.
The Everyday Allergen Risks in School Life
Managing allergies in schools isn’t limited to what’s served in the canteen. Risk points are woven throughout the day:
- School dinners and packed lunches can expose pupils to hidden allergens.
- Shared snacks in the classroom or treats given out at birthdays might not come with ingredient information.
- Cooking lessons often use a variety of ingredients, not all of which are safe or clearly labelled.
- School trips present challenges around meal planning, supervision, and emergency preparedness.
- Even well-meaning gestures, like teachers gifting sweets or chocolate to celebrate their students, can carry risk if allergen content isn’t clear.
Without a clear allergy policy and consistent practices in place, any one of these scenarios could potentially put a child’s life at risk.
Where Are the Gaps in Allergen Policy?
Despite the scale of the issue, many schools are still lacking the tools and policies needed to safeguard pupils with allergies.
- One in three UK schools doesn’t have an allergy policy in place (Hansard).
- 20% of severe allergic reactions occur in school settings (BSACI).
- Two-thirds of teachers haven’t received any allergy management training (St John Ambulance).
- Many schools don’t hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) or don’t have staff confident in using them.
- The emotional toll on families and children is profound, as some pupils feeling excluded or unsafe at school.
These figures represent real children at risk and highlight the need for better allergen training and tools within school settings.
Campaigns and Guidance Driving Change
The Benedict Blythe Foundation has spearheaded a campaign to change this. Known as Benedict’s Law, or the Schools Allergy Safety Bill, it calls for:
- Mandatory allergy policies in all schools
- Regular training for staff on allergy management
- Ensuring spare AAIs are available and accessible
Organisations like Allergy UK and the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI) have also developed best practice guidance to help schools build inclusive, allergy-aware environments.
These efforts are making headway. So supplemental and support these initiatives, it is important for schools to have practical, day-to-day solutions to bring policy to life.
Support the Benedict Blythe campaign
How NCCO Solutions Support Safer School Environments
At NCCO, we understand the demands placed on school caterers, staff, and leadership teams. Our allergen management tools are designed to ease that burden, providing clarity, compliance, and peace of mind.
DateCodeGenie
The DateCodeGenie automated labelling system prints allergen information and nutrition labels, as well as other important dietary information and warnings, on labels of various sizes quickly and easily from one unified dashboard. The system can also print expiry dates and more to ensure critical items never go out of date unnoticed.
Book your free, personalised DateCodeGenie demo
Allergen Labels & Kits
Clear, easy-to-use allergen labels can be applied to school dinners, snacks, and classroom treats help prevent cross-contamination and ensure all staff (not just catering teams) are aware of what’s safe and what’s not.
View our selection of allergen labels
These tools create a school environment where children with allergies feel safe, included, and protected.
Protect Children, Support Staff, and Build Safer Schools
Now is the time for action. Schools across the UK are under pressure to do more with less – but when it comes to allergens, lives are literally on the line. It’s never been more vital to:
- Adopt a clear, comprehensive allergen policy
- Provide all staff with regular allergy awareness training
- Use tools like NCCO’s Task Manager, Date Code Genie, and allergen labels to support policy in practice
- Engage parents in conversations about allergy risks and what support their child needs
We’re proud to be part of a national movement working towards safer schools. All children deserve to feel safe at school – and all parents deserve the peace of mind that their child is protected. Let’s work together to build a future where no child is lost to allergy mismanagement.
Your Allergen Safety Solutions from NCCO: