The introduction of Benedict’s Law marks an important step forward for allergy safety in schools. From September 2026, schools across England will be required to strengthen their allergy management by introducing whole-school allergy policies, enhanced staff training, access to Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) with improved communication and records for individual healthcare and allergy action plans.
At Alliance in partnership, allergy awareness has always been about more than just meeting legal requirements. Every meal served is an opportunity to create a safe and inclusive environment where every pupil can eat well. As food allergies become increasingly common among children, with around 2-5% of children in the UK living with an allergy, schools and their catering partners play an important role in reducing risk and supporting children and families.
Why Allergen Awareness Matters
Food allergies affect thousands of children across the UK. For some, small traces of an allergen can be life-threatening. Managing these risks requires more than just food labelling; it takes clear communication and well-trained teams who understand that food preparation and service are vital. Knowing that teams follow strict procedures in line with this new legislation provides the assurance to families and children that school lunchtimes are safer and well-managed.
A proactive approach to allergen management also supports schools in creating an inclusive environment, ensuring pupils with food allergies can participate fully in school without feeling excluded or anxious around mealtimes. The new law also helps towards reducing the 500,000 days of school children have missed in the last year due to allergy-related illnesses.
How Alliance in Partnership Manages Allergens Safely
At Alliance in Partnership, allergen management is embedded into every aspect of our catering service. From menu planning and procurement through to food preparation and service, our processes are designed to minimise risk while giving pupils and parents confidence in the meals we provide.
Our Approach
- Comprehensive allergen management procedures across every school we support.
- Robust supplier and ingredient checks to ensure allergen information remains accurate and up to date.
- Clearly communicated allergen information to help schools and families make informed choices.
- Kitchen procedures designed to reduce the risk of cross-contamination during food preparation and service.
- Ongoing training for catering teams, ensuring colleagues understand current legislation, food safety requirements and best practice in allergy management.
- Close collaboration with school staff to support individual pupil needs and respond to changing dietary requirements.
What the Benedict’s Law means for schools
Benedict’s Law highlights the importance of consistent allergy management across the education setting. The new statutory guidance requires schools to implement comprehensive allergy policies, such as:
Whole-School Allergy Policy: Policies should take effect school-wide, with all staff understanding allergy management and emergency procedures.
Staff Training: All staff must have comprehensive allergy awareness and emergency response training.
Access to Emergency Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs): Where needed, schools should be trained and equipped with spare AAIs in the event of an emergency.
Individual Healthcare and Allergy Plans: Pupils who are diagnosed with allergies should have individual, detailed allergy plans to follow in the case of a reaction.
Improved Communication and Record-Keeping: Documenting children with allergies and the cases of allergic reaction should be recorded and communicated effectively.
For many schools, these requirements build upon practices that are already in place. However they also provide an opportunity to review existing procedures to ensure every member of the school community understands their role in keeping pupils safe.
Creating Confidence Through Partnership
We believe that school catering should do more than just provide food. It should give pupils, parents and schools confidence that every meal is prepared with care and diligence so that children can enjoy lunchtime safely.
As allergy awareness and management continue to evolve, schools need partners who understand the practical realities of catering and the wider safeguarding responsibility that comes with feeding children every day. By combining effective allergen management with high-quality food and strong partnerships, we help schools create environments that are safe, inclusive and welcoming for every pupil.