A COUNCIL has been criticised for taking sandwiches off school lunch menus - due to a new EU directive.

Aberdeen City Council says the products were taken off the menu last month ahead of new EU packaging rules being introduced.

But the move has outraged politicians and union bosses as well as pupils and parents. Unite regional organiser Tommy Campbell said: "We call on the chief executive, the director of education and the councillors to rescind this ban immediately."

Aberdeen councillor Neil Cooney said: "All councils will have to comply with an EU directive which will require food businesses as of December to be able to label packaged food, demonstrating it has protected consumers from 14 allergens."