Bushey Meads School only serves halal chicken and beef

Zara Martin, 47, was made aware of the decision when she visited Bushey Meads School in Coldharbour Lane to inspect the canteen, following its recent food hygiene score of 1.

Ms Martin, a counsellor who lives in Elstree, told the Watford Observer: “I’m not happy that it's only halal.

Zara Martin (Image: Zara Martin)

“When I was at school, if there were any children who needed religious food then they would be offered that.

“But my son is not religious, so why should he be given halal meat?’

She stated she does not want the school to stop serving halal meat.

But added: “I think they should serve non-halal chicken and beef too.

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“The lack of choice is where I am disgruntled.

“It’s really upset me because I do not like the way the animals are killed. It’s cruelty to animals.”

Her visit came after the school was told major improvement was necessary after a recent food hygiene inspection.

Ms Martin wanted to view the school’s canteen for herself because her son said he had been feeling unwell after eating meals at the school.

She said: “After the visit I was reassured by what I saw. Of course, they knew I was going, but the kitchen was spotless.”

Ms Martin added that since the school hired a new manager following the hygiene inspection, her son has been feeling better.   

The school said it serves a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, pork and halal products for students to purchase. (Image: PA)

A spokesperson from Impact Food Group, who runs the canteen and is commenting on behalf of the school, said: “All meat served at Bushey Meads School (bar pork) is halal. The chicken and beef are halal as per the school’s request

“We serve a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, pork and halal products for students to purchase.”

They added: “Where we serve halal meat, we use only products which are pre stunned prior to slaughter.

“We also provide a wide range of products to allow students choice in what they are eating.”

When Watford Observer asked Impact Food Group if they would consider serving non-halal meat, they said: “Yes we would happily consider serving non halal meat where requested.”