To want this stopped?!

[Notasperfectasallothermners]

Dd started secondary school in September. Loves it, really settled well - no worries regarding peers /work etc. However, had an issue with food tech last week where dd (vegi entire life) was given pre measured out ingredients to make biscuits, as dd didnt know what lard was she used it and brought the biscuits home. All dc sat and ate them, will admit they were nice! Until she mentioned lard and Googled it herself. Not a happy dd! Told her things happen and not to worry, not lovely to drop down in a heap this once sort of thing.
Rang the school to remind them she is vegi etc, mistakes happen - don't expect head on a platter etc...
Then yesterday she gets home, salad wrap for lunch, server wearing gloves to handle ingredients makes hers - after handling ham to the previous dc in the line! Rang school again, they will be speaking to the caterers today. Fed up.

[BusterTheBulldog]

Slight derail, but our work sandwich platters always come with vegi / meat in same plate and we have never had an issue despite many with differing beliefs / cultures-is this a real issue? Same with when I have made sandwiches for buffet at home etc?

[RockinHippy]

She's vegetarian not allergic to meat

& here we go again, the usual lack of understanding of what it is to be vegetarian 🙄

Actually a vegetarian is psychologically allergic to meat, as in eating it, even accidentally goes against everything that you stand for & hurts your soul. My own DD had nightmares for months after a similar incident happened to her

A bit like someone accidentally serving a meat eater, dog, or human meat.

[RunningOutOfCharge]

Jesus! This is not a battle worth fighting! I bet she's had more cross contaminated items ( at home, at friends, relatives etc) than hot dinners!

[RockinHippy]

& I agree, ham stinks & would put me right off my food too 🤢

[Blackteadrinker77]

For me the concern would be over extra plastic waste from extra gloves if I insisted on a change,

They don't have to, food guidelines say they should be using separate tongs.

[babyccinoo]

A colleague next to me had bits of ham in her salad and I had to turn away as I felt nauseous.

I always check to make sure servers change their gloves after handling meat.

[ViceAdmiralAmilynHoldo]

I can't believe the school actually provides the ingredients for food tech. Please don't whinge about that - you've no idea how lucky you are!

[HelgasFlowers]

I actually think the obvious solution here is that the school prepare an adequate amount of vegetarian options ahead of time for the number of veggies at the school. No extra plastic waste, no cross-contamination for those vegetarians who do feel this way.

Restaurants and cafes etc have separate boards, grills etc for preparation of vegetarian options.

[cdtaylornats]

Consider the environmental impact of that extra pair of gloves 200 times a year for the rest of her schooldays. Her learned behaviour is killing dolphins.

[MavisPike]

They are sorting it out so what's the problem ?

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

I was vegetarian until very recently, and wouldn't have had a problem with the ham thing, I would have gone nuts about the lard thing. I was at a children's birthday party, a Muslim girl was accidentally given a cocktail sausage because the server didn't think and the girl didn't know it was pork (she was 4), her mother was quite philosophical about it, accidents happen.

[HolyShet]

Actually a vegetarian is psychologically allergic to meat, as in eating it, even accidentally goes against everything that you stand for & hurts your soul.

Snowflake-tastic and untrue for me and for most of the (many)vegans and veggies I know who are much more pragmatic.

If you accidentally eat meat the evolved approach is to say "oh well" and let it pass - it's your intent that matters. And in terms of harm to animals eating something that's been touched by something that touched by meat is not contributing to or tolerating a system of economics or ethics that means animals are used for food.

[Helllllooooooo]

Not a veggie and I am religious

Forcing someone to eat anything that is against there believes is shitty, be those religious or not.

This girl has given up meat which is a huge thing to do, why should she be forced to eat any ham juice just because some pig headed lazy caterer can’t be arse to swap gloves.
They have a duty to provide a service to everyone who is in receipt of benefits or pays themselves.

Would you go into a restaurant and ask for a ham and pineapple pizza and be given chicken and olive and think that is acceptable?
Or would you eat something served to you without a choice even though the chef and waiters knew you despised it?

A salad wrap? How inventive

[PatchworkGirl]

I would expect the school to adapt as needed - just as they would for religions or allergies. It's not a difficult accommodation to make. So, no, I don't think you are being unreasonable to expect them to make this adjustment.

As a veggie myself, it wouldn't especially bother to eat something that had 'touched' meat but that's because touching/tasting meat does not conflict with my reasons for being vegetarian (quite honestly, I would prefer the cross contamination that the 'waste' of another pair of plastic throwaway gloves). But that's just me.

[Greensleeves]

Cheap, mass catering ham smells like farts. Fact.

[Clandestino]

Consider the environmental impact of that extra pair of gloves 200 times a year for the rest of her schooldays. Her learned behaviour is killing dolphins.

Yep, but she doesn't have to look at them so that's different. Just like vegans don't care about the impact their lifestyle choices requiring plenty of exotic ingredients have on the life far far away from their privileged animal suffering-free kitchens.

[Bluntness100]

Op, it's you that's the snowflake here isn't it and you're teaching your daughter to be the same.

You actually phoned to complain becayse the caterers gloves had touched ham.

As much as I hate thr saying, wow just wow.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Ham really stinks and its flavour is pervasive.

Would all those saying 'snowflake' and similar say the same if the DD was Jewish or Islamic?

[Helllllooooooo]

I eat meat but not ham, it does stink

[HolyShet]

but have to say, using designated ham tongs would sort this problem out with zero effort, expense, harm to planet

most butty bars manage it

[HolyShet]

Would all those saying 'snowflake' and similar say the same if the DD was Jewish or Islamic?

No, but vegetarianism is not a religion, simply an ethical choice.

[Helllllooooooo]

Great point holyshet

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

No, but vegetarianism is not a religion, simply an ethical choice

Why should a religion be considered differently? Both are 'choices'.

[Helllllooooooo]

A belief is a belief, religious or not. More and more people have no faith. It’s time people updated their opinions... some more.

Says the Christian