When Food Is a Foe

Abstract:
When a student has food allergies and sensitivities, lunchtime can be the most dangerous hour of the day. As a school administrator, when you have a student with food allergies, you are responsible for meeting with the district's school foodservice director and the school's cafeteria manager as soon as possible. Type I food allergies are defined. The only proven treatment of food allergies is to avoid the food, however, food allergy education for the patient, the family, and school personnel is essential to prevent accidental exposure. All school officials must become experts on food allergies, learning to minimize risks, and to administer prompt treatment. To reduce the risks, the first step is to partner with the school foodservice directors to have a written plan on how to manage nutrition services for children with special needs. School business officials and school food service directors need to team with parents to obtain the specific needs of the children. An emergency plan should also be developed to deal with accidental food exposures. The school foodservice personnel should also be trained in proper food preparation techniques. A list of food preparation considerations is provided. In 1994, the American Academy of Pediatrics Ad Hoc Committee on Anaphylaxis in the school recommended allowing a child with a history of anaphylaxis to carry epinephrine (adrenaline) with them at all times if a reaction occurs. If not possible, then epinephrine needs to be available in the classroom or cafeteria. The call for a ban of certain foods (peanuts) is an extreme reaction. A ban could establish a dangerous precedent (i.e., milk, eggs). It is also harmful to segregate children with allergies for two reasons: 1) by creating a stigma, and 2) the needs for children to learn how to eat safely while surrounded by foods that can harm them. Education is the best medicine when it comes to food allergies and intolerances. A list of additional resources are provided.

Author(s): FITZGERALD, Patricia

Publication: School Business Affairs


Date Published: 12/1/1998

Pages: 3

Comments:
This article is located in the food allergy folder.

Location Code: 18087