Mandatory Food Allergy Safety Guidance for Schools | What Schools Need to Know
From September 2026, new mandatory statutory guidance on food allergy safety in schools will come into force in England. This guidance is a historic step forward, giving schools a clear legal duty to protect children with food allergies and ensure staff are trained to respond to emergencies.
Natasha’s Foundation, the UK’s leading food allergy charity, has played a key role in shaping this guidance to ensure it focuses on practical protection, staff training, and clear emergency procedures.
What the New Mandatory Guidance Means for Schools
Under the new guidance, all schools will be required to:
Have robust allergy policies covering prevention and emergency procedures
Keep spare emergency adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) on site and accessible
Ensure staff are trained to recognise and respond to anaphylaxis
This guidance comes following the tragic death of Benedict Blythe, who died aged five from a food allergy at school. It is expected to become law in September 2026 after consultation.
Food allergies are common and potentially life-threatening:
Around two children in every classroom have a food allergy
20% of allergic reactions occur in schools
Yet research by NASUWT, in collaboration with Natasha’s Foundation, shows that:
67% of teachers have no allergy awareness training
1 in 5 teachers has never been shown how to use an adrenaline auto-injector
Mandatory guidance will ensure schools are prepared to prevent, recognise, and respond to food allergy emergencies effectively.
Ruby Nasser, Headteacher of Edith Neville Primary School with Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey MP, Jan Parnell, Director of Education of Natasha’s Foundation and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, Co-founder and Trustee of Natasha’s Foundation
Education Minister Visits Primary School to See Allergy School in Action
Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey visited Edith Neville Primary School to see how schools are already preparing for the new allergy guidance through Allergy School, Natasha’s Foundation’s FREE allergy education and awareness programme.
Allergy School provides:
Curriculum-mapped resources for children aged 3–11
Certified allergy and anaphylaxis training for school staff
Practical model templates for school food allergy policies
Guidance on managing spare adrenaline auto-injectors
“Allergy School is transforming understanding of food allergies in schools,” said the Minister. “It will play a vital role in implementing this guidance.”
Since launching in February 2025, over 22,000 educators have engaged with Allergy School resources or training, ensuring more children are safe, included, and supported at school.
Big Steps for Allergy Safety - How You Can Help
The statutory guidance is a milestone, but it is only the start. Parents and carers can play a key role in making sure every school implements it effectively.
Here’s how you can help:
Ask your child’s school about their current allergy policy
Check whether staff are trained in recognising anaphylaxis and using adrenaline auto-injectors
Ensure emergency AAIs are accessible and in date
Share our FREE Allergy School webinar with your school, headteacher or governing body
Provide feedback to the Department for Education consultation on what works well and where improvements are needed
Your experience matters. Sharing what your child’s school does well and where it could improve helps families, supports schools, and strengthens allergy safety across the country.
Why Allergy Guidance matters in schools
Why This School Allergy Guidance Matters
Mandatory allergy guidance ensures that:
Schools are legally accountable for food allergy safety
Staff are confident and trained to manage anaphylaxis emergencies
Children with food allergies feel safe, included, and supported
Natasha’s Foundation will continue working with families, schools, and government partners to ensure this guidance is implemented in every school. Together, we can make food allergy safety a reality in every school.