Burger boredom hits halal school meal choices

Muslim children may be missing out on healthy school lunches due to limited halal options, a study has found.

Pupils in Newcastle told Northumbria University researchers meals did not offer enough variety, with children bemoaning the prevalence of burgers.

The issue could be particularly severe in north-east England as Muslim populations are relatively spread out across the region, Prof Greta Defeyter said.

The research found some schools' confidence in their provision was at odds with their pupils' boredom with the choices on offer.

As part of the research, Dr Zeb Sattar said she spoke with one headteacher who took her around the school's dining hall and proudly spoke about how popular the halal burgers were with the children.

"Then I spoke to the children and they said 'we are sick of burgers, all we get is burgers'," she said.

The researchers looked at three primary and three secondary schools in Newcastle catering for Muslim populations ranging from 3% to 65%.

They interviewed Muslim pupils, parents, catering workers and school staff.

Some pupils spoke about feeling awkward about asking whether a meat option in the school canteen was halal or not.

"They sometimes just pick the other option [without asking]," said Prof Defeyter.

Muslim children also struggled if they arrived to the canteen late as others may have already taken the halal meats on offer, she added.

Prof Defeyter said she understood school meal budgets were tight but it was important to ensure all children attending school had a "balanced and equitable food choice".

“If it’s only cost affordable within their plan to serve halal burgers, then we’ve got to come up with other options,” she said.

The research team said it is working with schools, councils and caterers, as well as parents and children, to figure out how more halal foods can be introduced in a "socially just manner".

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].