Parents raise alarm over kindergarten menus containing banned foods for children with dietary restrictions

A Latvian mother posted on the platform Threads describing a recurring problem with her daughter's kindergarten menu. The girl has dietary restrictions confirmed by a doctor's note filed with the kindergarten, and the catering company's nutritionist is supposed to prepare a menu tailored to her needs each season. Despite this, the mother says nearly every new menu includes something her daughter cannot eat — most recently a sweetened syrup drink, even though sweetened beverages are on her banned list.

Other parents share similar stories

The post drew responses from many parents facing comparable issues. One mother said her daughter has life-threatening allergies, and despite doctor's notes, repeated conversations and detailed instructions given to the kindergarten, mix-ups with food have still occurred. Another woman, who previously worked as an assistant caregiver, described following a list of every child's allergies and restrictions while portioning meals, ensuring children with restrictions received a substitute dish while others ate the regular meal.

Another parent said her family checks and corrects the upcoming week's menu every single week, since problems keep recurring with drinks — tea delivered from the kitchen is always sweetened with sugar, so the family now brings unsweetened tea from home in the mornings. For some meals, she also prepares a safe homemade treat for her child, trying to make it look as similar as possible to what other children are eating.

Ongoing checks and unresolved responsibility

Parents' experiences show that for children with dietary restrictions, a kindergarten menu is not just about taste — an incorrectly listed item means extra checks, communication with staff, and sometimes providing an alternative meal themselves. The news outlet LA.LV has contacted Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service asking what requirements apply to feeding children with doctor-mandated restrictions and who bears responsibility when a banned food appears on a child's menu. A response has not yet been received.