SCHOOLCHILDREN receiving a packed lunch last Friday were told to bin their sandwiches due to incorrect date labelling.

Parents were sent a message last Friday from East Lothian Council alerting them to the problem.

The ham in the sandwiches was labelled with the wrong expiry date and pupils were asked to throw them away as a precaution.

The schools affected were East Linton Primary, Gullane Primary, Knox Academy in Haddington, Law Primary in North Berwick, Pinkie St Peter’s Primary in Musselburgh, Sanderson’s Wynd Primary in Tranent and Preston Lodge High School in Prestonpans.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Our supplier made us aware last Friday of a product recall for roast ham, which had been provided to us for inclusion in that day’s packed lunches.

“The supplier informed us that an incorrect use by date had been labelled on some of the products.

“As a matter of priority, we used our schools text alert system to advise parents that the ham sandwiches provided should be disposed of/not consumed.

“Safety is paramount and we have a duty of care to all our children and young people.

“As a matter of priority, our facilities management team, in consultation with environmental health, have been working with the supplier to understand the issue.

“While we believe that the incorrectly labelled ham had been dispatched to a minority of our schools, it was felt appropriate to send advice to parents at all schools as a precaution.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and can assure parents that we will continue to work with the supplier to ensure any lessons are learned for the future.”