What is going on with allergies? My kids can't bring food to school now?

Question

First it was peanuts,then sea food,then eggs,then milk,then wheat,there are so many banned foods at my kids school I am at my whits end at what to put in their lunches.If it is good for you it is most likely banned there. Maybe it is time there were schools that were exculsively for allergy afflicted kids. That would make it safer for them and more compassionate to those fortunate not to have allergies. I have family with peanut sensitivities so I am very understanding but there has to be a better way. I am not rich I can't buy fancy nut free,gluten free what evers. Anyone have the same difficulties?

grades jk through 8

I am involved with this and intend to become more so. I have no answer I can only say it had been very hard to make a lunch aceptable to my kids and the school. They can't have just fruit for lunch and I feel it is only a matter of time before that is excluded. We live almost 2 miles from school so going home is out too. I am thinking the school could make their lunches and I wish them luck getting my kids to eat it.

PATRICIA G F thank you for your comment, the school has sent a list of foods but that has not helped. In shipping kids with allergies to a safer place is not mean't to make them feel different. I am at a loss and my kids feel excluded. I have a grandson with a severe peanut allergy and his mom agrees. At my grandaughters school no perfume is allowed or deoderant this is crazy. I agree the reasons behind this plague must be investigated asap. That had alway been my opinion I am on a very limited budget which is much smaller with the expense of it all. They can't bring a birthday cake and that reason is not just allergies but because it might offend someone who does not celebrate it. I just want to give my kids a healthy lunch that won't come back. Maybe home schooling is the only choice for non allergy sufferers? that will certainly make my kids feel different too. If my frustration is showing forgive me but this bad foods list has me in shock.

Being the written word sometimes things get misunderstood. I don't like looking as if I am against kids with allergies that is not what I am getting at that is insulting. My grandson has this as well and he needs to be protected in a more reliable way.We have loads of compassion I have taught my kids well but this is way beyond reason and boardering on the rediculous. And each school has their own rules which makes it even more dangerous. Maybe the schools will have to supply the lunches? I am looking for input from all who have experienced this maybe we can come up with some compassionate resolutions that include everyone involved. I just want to give my kids the best I can on a very limited budget that is all.

Answer 1

At least you can still do fruits right? Apples, oranges, grapes are all good snacks, vegetables too would be good snacks or foods for their lunches. Lunch is probably harder to think of. Is this a school for younger kids (like kindergarden)?

Juices would be good drinks that would provide good sources of nutrition (apple juice, orange juice, raspberry juice, etc). Surely there are alternative foods for lunches? Maybe turkey or chicken, or those quick cook rice. There should be plenty of alternatives for your kids to have a safe and healthy (and hopefully tasty) lunch.

Answer 2

We had a second grader die a few years ago when he was given a bag-lunch by the school for a field trip which contained peanuts in a cookie. The boy had a fatal reaction. The school was sued by the parents, as his condition was known to them and the cookie was included in all the bag lunches and no exception was made for those who were allergic. The parents won a large sum of money, but there's no winner here. All that can be done is totally seclude the allergic kids from the general population and make them feel even more ostracized. It sure is a dilemma. If the schools have to worry about a child bringing food and then trading for something that they may have a reaction to, then of course, they have the right to deny any outside foods be brought in. Try to get involved with the lunch program and make sure there are healthy choices and not just junk food available.

Answer 3

I know this must be very frustrating, but you already know about how serious some of these allergies like the peanut allergy can be. We really need to know why so many kids are developing peanut and other food allergies. ( I have a 20-something child who has just recently developed food allergies to onions and garlic who never had a food allergy before.)

The simplest anwer in this case is to ask the school to provide a list of permitted foods as well as telling you what you shouldn't send. That would be the most practical solution. Another would be for parent groups to work with the school to protect the allergic kids while allowing other parents to be able to pack lunches. Is the cafeteria also as restricted as bring along lunches are? If not, the policy makes no sense.

Allergic kids could be seated in a separate area of the cafeteria and all lunches should be supervised by teachers until lunch and after lunch to prevent allergic kids having access to what they should not have. A strict "no sharing" rule would need to be taught and water fountains might need to be replaced by bottled water. (One child died after drinking water from a fountain previously used by a child who had eaten peanut butter,)

BTW, there is a safe peanut butter substitute called PeaButter available that is supposed to taste like the real thing. It's available in some stores and over the internet.

One thing bothers me: you want the kids with allergies shipped off to separate schools to make them safe, but what on earth makes you think they should be made to feel guilty for having a medical condition and be "more compassionate" for healthy kids? If anything, those healthy kids need to learn compassion for those who are put at risk from simple foods.

Answer 4

It is a very difficult problem to deal with, however, I've heard that children outgrow allergies.
I became allergic to all my favorite foods in my forties. I think it was because those were the things I was eating all the time.
The good new is, there is a medication that can combat the allergic response and symptoms.
The bad news is that you can't get it in the USA because it's made in Canada and US drug companies do not like Canadian medications being imported. It is also very expensive. It cost me $3 per meal and the capsules cost $1 each.
It is called Sodium Cromoglycate, also Nalcrom, and Cromalyn. (I'm not certain about the spelling, but it's close)
For intestinal allergies, you need to take it orally. As far as I know, it is harmless and has no side effects.

Answer 5

Isn't it ridiculous? Things are so over-regulated these days!

I agree that kids with severe allergies have a right to be safe from exposure while at school, but come on! Peanuts & seafood can cause anaphylactic reactions, but wheat and dairy just usually cause those who are sensitive/allergic to them to get a rash or stomach ache. It's not like a child that touches something made of wheat will stop breathing! With such limitations, what on earth do they serve for hot lunches at school?

Our school has some food resrictions, though not as severe as those at your school. However, kids aren't allowed to celebrate their birthdays with cake, cupcakes or ANYTHING sugary. We have to bring a bag of pretzels or a "loot bag" full of pencils and stickers to hand out. Woohoo what a party.

I feel sorry for the kids growing up nowadays. They are so over-protected that they don't get to live. : (

Answer 6

This sounds like its getting out of control I think but after reading your post at least I know what to expect to happen in Australia at the moment its peanuts or things that may have nuts in it. I am allergic to penicillin so would that also mean if I was still in school nobody could bring in mouldy bread or cheese Just been a little silly but where is the world going to don't do this don't do that. silly isn't it

Answer 7

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