School apology as pork gelatine is served up to Muslim pupils

A SCHOOL academy that many Muslim pupils attend has apologised after a dessert containing pork gelatine was served to a small group of children. Ninestiles, based in Acocks Green, said it became aware of the mistake last week, on February 21.

The Hartfield Crescent secondary school said it immediately removed the dessert from its menu and launched a probe into the incident. School bosses sent letters to parents apologising “for any distress and offence caused”. The academy admitted that the incident was “unacceptable” and said it likely happened “following a change of dessert” from its catering suppliers.

Ninestiles released a statement over the incident. It said: “We became aware that a dessert served in our canteen to a very small number of learners contained pork gelatine. We immediately removed it from the menu and have initiated a full investigation.

“We understand how upsetting this may be for some members of our community and we have apologised for this mistake, which appears to have occurred following a change of dessert from our catering suppliers.

Given the diversity of our community, and large number of Muslim learners, we have very clear procedures in place to ensure the careful preparation and serving of food, and we’re sorry these were not met on this occasion.

“We’re fully aware of how important it is that our learners and their families have confidence in our catering service, and that what happened is unacceptable.

“We have written to parents and carers to offer our sincere apologies for any distress and offence caused.”