Diabetes Isle of Man has called for the government to provide accurate and timely nutritional data for school meals, stating the current failures are impacting children.
There has been some criticism of the new menus around portion sizes and quality of the food.
However, Diabetes Isle of Man says there is a bigger issue at play, that being the health of children.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “The real issue faced is being missed; parents of children with type 1 diabetes urgently need accurate nutritional information from the Department for Education.”
Late, wrong, or both
“Each year, parents request portion sizes and carbohydrate/nutritional values before term starts. Each year, the information arrives late, wrong, or both.
“These details are critical, as a child’s individual insulin doses depend on them,” they added.
The group outlined the severe impact of incorrect data as too little insulin causes hyperglycaemia or high blood sugar, affecting a child’s wellbeing and their ability to learn.
Too much insulin leads to hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, which requires urgent treatment.
The spokesperson said: “Last week, one child endured an entire afternoon of hypoglycaemia at school because of incorrect information provided.”
Exclusion
The charity has also questioned why children should be excluded, as some parents have suggested on social media.
It asked: “Why should they have to take a packed lunch if all their friends are on school meals? Why should diabetes stop them from being able to enjoy a hot dinner through the winter? It shouldn’t, and we won’t let it.”
“The charity confirmed it is seeking a resolution. “We are awaiting a response from the Department and the School Meals team, and hope to be able to come to a resolution together to prevent further serious issues arising.
“We are awaiting a response from the Department and the School Meals team, and hope to be able to come to a resolution together to prevent further serious issues arising.”
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