MAJOR concerns have been raised about the inclusion of "insensitive food products" in support packages distributed to vulnerable people in Bradford.

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain wrote to cabinet minister Robert Jenrick after organisations working in the constituency raised concern about "unsuitable meat products" in the packages.

He said in the letter: "As I hope that you will understand, our Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu communities are unable for religious reasons to either consume certain food products at all or consume food that is not prepared in the proper manner, whilst vegetarians and vegans choose to abstain from eating meat on ethical grounds.

"However, from the evidence that has been provided to me by these third sector organisations, it is clear that food products which are unsuitable for these groups make up a large proportion of the food distributed in my constituency by Bidfood.

"I want to be clear that this is unacceptable and deeply insensitive to our religious communities.

"The inclusion of these products is also not just culturally and morally insensitive, forcing some of the most vulnerable positions to choose between compromising religious or other sincerely held beliefs and eating, but yet another display of the structural and institutionalised racism in our society – where the views of minorities are either not considered at all or regarded as not significant enough to warrant intervention.

"Furthermore, I understand that when this issue was raised with Bidfood by these third sector organisations, they were informed that there is no food support package distributed by Bidfood that includes vegetarian or Kosher/Halal food options, and that only one package is available.

"These incidents would be deeply unacceptable at any time, but they are even more so as the country seeks to shine a light on and expose practices that are racially insensitive at best and racist at worst. I am also concerned that distributing unsuitable and insensitive food to these groups that they cannot use will result in greater instances of food wastage at a time when many in our communities are having to make difficult choices.

"Whilst many would like to see food they themselves cannot use passed onto those who can through foodbanks and other charitable initiatives, their vulnerable status which means they receive this support in the first place leaves them unable to leave their homes safely. Consequently, they often have no option but to dispose of this food."

Bidfood said its role was to pack and deliver the boxes and inquiries about the contents were for the Government to respond to.

A government spokesperson said: “More than three million boxes of essential food have now been delivered by wholesalers to those at highest risk across England - with around 290,000 boxes being distributed every week.

"All boxes provide appropriate levels of nutrition for one person for one week. People with special dietary needs which are not met by the packs they receive should contact their local authority for further help and advice.”

The boxes contain things like tinned fruit and vegetables, soup, baked beans, a jar of cooking sauce, plus tins of meat and tuna and 'staples' like pasta, rice, noodles, cous cous and potatoes. They also include cereal, bread and fruit, coffee, tea and biscuits, plus toilet paper and shower gel or soap.