The Swedish schools agency has ruled that serving of halal meat in schools does not break the law in response to complaints from parents who argued the practice breaches the non-denominational praxis of the Swedish education system.
The Swedish Schools Inspectorate ruled that the law does not regulate the method of slaughter used for the meat served in schools, according to a report in the agricultural magazine ATL.
Parents in Svedala in southern Sweden had reported a school to the agency for serving halal chicken arguing that the school meals fall under the non-denominational praxis of the Swedish education system.
The issue was discussed in the municipal council in September and has been the subjected of intense debate among locals and parents on social media.
The municipality’s schools have been serving the chicken, which originates from Denmark, for the past four years.
Halal slaughter follows old religious rules. Halal is any action or object which is permitted according to Islamic law, is not limited to food and can be applied to all matters of daily life.
With regards to the slaughter of animals halal refers to the use of a sharp knife to make an incision to the throat. The animals should also be slaughtered while uttering the words “in the name of God”.
Kosher and halal meat products are permitted in Sweden if the animal is anaesthetized prior to its throat being cut. While technically against the rules, the majority of Muslims and Jews living in Sweden accept this compromise.
Schools meals serve 96 primary and special schools in Bolton and approximately 15,000 meals per day. It also serves five high schools.
The award-winning service says it endeavours to purchase local, sustainable food from within the Lancashire region ensuring that “safety, standards, quality, environmental protection and animal welfare are upheld”.
Headteacher Emily Kirk said: “As a school we are all really upset by what has happened.
“Fortunately our staff reacted very quickly as soon as the issue was identified, which was early on into our lunchtime, and the product was instantly removed.
“We immediately informed all of our parents, who I would like to thank for their continued support and understanding.
“Bolton Council, who provide our school meals, acted very promptly and held a meeting to further reassure our parents, supported by Bolton Council of Mosques.
“I would like to stress that this has never happened here before.
“As a school we are extremely proud of our school meals which provide our children with a nutritionally balanced meal and this contributes significantly to their health and wellbeing.”
Bolton Council’s school meals recently won the “best partnership working” prize at the Association of Public Service Excellence awards for its work with Bolton Council of Mosques.