No Deal Brexit could make school dinners more expensive and force nutrition standards to be changed, councils have warned.
The claims have emerged in town hall “risk registers” that plan for potential consequences of crashing out on October 31.
One council, North Tyneside, warns it could have to “increase the price of school meals” if necessary.
The council also says it could have to “increase use of tins and frozen goods” in catering if fresh food is difficult to come by – and special diet requirements “may be difficult to meet”.
Another council, North Ayrshire, says food prices “have already been going up as a result of Brexit ” and there is a risk that suppliers will “supply supermarkets rather than councils”.
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The Scottish council, which includes the Isle of Arran, says there is a question over whether it “might need to amend school nutrition standards”.
Other councils agree school meal prices could have to rise in the range of risk documents obtained by the BBC.
According to the broadcaster, Hastings Council’s internal document even warned: “There might be the need for rationing. The severity would depend on what was available and particularly the duration of any shortages.”
The warning about altering nutrition standards comes after the government admitted there may need to be “product substitution” in school menus.
However, government advice also said schools must ensure their suppliers “can continue to meet nutritional standards” and “can continue to meet special dietary needs and manage allergies”.
The government guidance says: “Local authorities and schools must continue to provide meals to all registered pupils who request one.
“Where the pupil meets the criteria for free school meals, the meal must be provided, free of charge.
“Schools have significant flexibilities within the school food standards, which they can refer to if certain items are in short supply.”
Paul Hanson, Chief Executive of North Tyneside Council, said: “Like all local authorities we have been working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to prepare for possible eventualities of Brexit.
“Like most local authorities, North Tyneside have done that as part of a risk management process.
“Working with central government we continue to monitor risks and prepare accordingly.”
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “In common with other responsible local authorities, we have drawn together comprehensive contingency plans to ensure we are prepared in the event of a No-Deal Brexit.
“Residents and businesses seeking further information about these preparations are advised to visit www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/brexitinformation.”
A government spokesman told the BBC the food industry was “well versed at dealing with scenarios that can affect food supply.”
The statement added: “We have a highly-resilient food supply chain and consumers in the UK have access to a range of sources of food.
“This will continue to be the case when we leave the EU.”
A £138million government-funded advertising blitz to inform the public of the risks of No Deal will begin within weeks.
However, officials have warned The Times that the campaign could inadvertently prompt food shortages by encouraging people to create stockpiles in their homes.
One minister told the newspaper: “One of the difficulties of the information campaign is that it has to get the balance right by informing people rather than frightening them.
“The public, and particularly businesses, need to be informed so they are ready for no deal but there are risks associated with that which need to be managed.”
