How can schools NOT be peanut free nowadays????

smiling76

I don't get it.  My son is starting the preschool program because of delayed speech at our local elementary school.  I was told that they were going peanut free this year, however am now becoming aware that they are NOT peanut free.  I just don't get it.  I mean, these things can kill people....and honestly, they aren't that nutritious compared to other items that are just as easily accessible. 

My son has a peanut allergy amongst many others and although he can be in the same room with them, he can't ingest them. But kids are kids--and they share--and they touch and kiss and stuff like that.  Parents needs to send snacks for this class each day--and it's scary that they can send peanuts if they wish. 

There is a kid I guess in the classroom over and they said they are so severe (peanut allergy) that if they even smell them they will go in to anaphylaxis.  OMG.  Can you imagine???? So we are blessed.....but I'd be freaking out if I were that kid's parents and knew that there were peanuts being allowed next door.

Just had to vent.  I'm sorry if I offend anyone--I love peanuts---but I just love them when I'm not by my child.  I'm sure these kids can love them when they are back at home too. 

stacinsean

My son's preschool is peanut free, because at the ages of 2-5 they don't necessarily know not to share things that may contain peanut products. 

I teach in a school district where we have peanut/treenut free classrooms for students with allergies. There are also tables in the lunchroom for nut free students where extra precautions are taken. At this point the students are old enough to know what they can/can't eat and it's a little easier to monitor as well.

I also have to tell you I've had a few crazy parents who claim their child has an allergy and then they send in a granola bar that clearly says made with nuts on it for their own child's snack. So sometimes people are just nutty!  

Spin313

I understand how you feel, since your child has a peanut allergy, but imagine if we started outlawing anything in schools that anyone was allergic to...milk, wheat, strawberries, latex, etc. My sister has a caffeine allergy...could you imagine no soda, chocolate, or coffee products in schools?

smiling76

Spin313:

I understand how you feel, since your child has a peanut allergy, but imagine if we started outlawing anything in schools that anyone was allergic to...milk, wheat, strawberries, latex, etc. My sister has a caffeine allergy...could you imagine no soda, chocolate, or coffee products in schools?

I understand...and OMG caffeine, really????  Wow.  I've never heard of that one.  Yikes!

My son is allergic to dairy, wheat, eggs, etc but in general.....if consumed alone those generally don't cause anaphylaxis...although certainly could if together (as we experienced when he was about 10 mos old and again at 12 months.  So I know how it can be--but peanuts---literally ONE peanut can be fatal.  We encountered that about a month ago...very scary.  I personally think they should be outlawed on planes--- no one NEEDS peanuts on a flight.  They can consume something else that won't cause death to others. 

Honestly---people don't understand allergies until they have to encounter them.  I wish though that everyone did understand them more.  It's reality today.  No--people weren't as allergic years ago---but today they are.  We need to change our habits. 

 

July_2009

I understand your concerns as a mother of kid with allergies(I do know that I am lucky to have a DS with no allergies so far). However, my DS is special needs (ASD) and he is VERY selective in what he eats and he LOVES peanut butter but since our DS's school is nut free we send mostly food with no proteins...well...

I dont think we can make a school everything free though....I am still looking for a school that understands Hindu vegetarianism and I can't just go and ask schools to just stop serving meat whatsoever.

anna7602

DD's preschool is technically nut-free, but they only enforce it when there's a kid with a registered allergy. Last school year, there were two kids. This summer, for camp, there wasn't a single one, so we started sending PBJ sandwiches as soon as we realized there wasn't anyone with an allergy (after confirming it with the teachers). I get where you're coming from and I am super-conscious of it when I know there's a child with an allergy, but since there wasn't this summer, it was actually quite a relief to add one more sandwich to the repetoire for a spell.

 

pierogigirl

It's practically impossible to have a completely peanut free building.  Many processed foods are produced on shared equipment or in buildings where peanuts are used.  Kids and or adults may have had peanuts/pb before coming to school.  My son's daycare is peanut free and I'm sure it helps, but it also probably provides a false sense of security.  Kids with allergies (or their caregivers, if they are too young to know what to do) have to be incredibly cautious.  I am also a teacher and it is nerve-wracking when you have a student with severe allergies. Also, there are other severe allergies besides peanuts - if schools and daycares eliminated all allergens kids wouldn't be able to eat while there. So far my LO has had no allergic reactions, but I'm scared to try peanuts because I know how serious a reaction can be.

MegGary

I get where your coming from. I worked with a guy who's son has a peanut allergy. If we went to lunch somewhere like 5 Guys, peanuts all over the place, he couldn't go with us. That or he had to shower & change his clothes before going home. His son couldn't as much as breath near it or he'd have an attack. 

I couldn't imagine having to deal with that. Since it's so prevalent today I don't know why they aren't peanut free either.  

Blackvelvet

smiling76:

Spin313:

I understand how you feel, since your child has a peanut allergy, but imagine if we started outlawing anything in schools that anyone was allergic to...milk, wheat, strawberries, latex, etc. My sister has a caffeine allergy...could you imagine no soda, chocolate, or coffee products in schools?

I understand...and OMG caffeine, really????  Wow.  I've never heard of that one.  Yikes!

My son is allergic to dairy, wheat, eggs, etc but in general.....if consumed alone those generally don't cause anaphylaxis...although certainly could if together (as we experienced when he was about 10 mos old and again at 12 months.  So I know how it can be--but peanuts---literally ONE peanut can be fatal.  We encountered that about a month ago...very scary.  I personally think they should be outlawed on planes--- no one NEEDS peanuts on a flight.  They can consume something else that won't cause death to others. 

Honestly---people don't understand allergies until they have to encounter them.  I wish though that everyone did understand them more.  It's reality today.  No--people weren't as allergic years ago---but today they are.  We need to change our habits. 

 

I understand your concern but where do we stop?  I have an anaphylaxis allergy to celery even if something else was cooked on the same pan then my food was cooked I react.  We really can't bad everything becasue people are allergic to LOTS of differnt things it's a fine line but really we can't just band one thing when others are just as bad for others.

BEATOU

smiling76:

I understand...and OMG caffeine, really????  Wow.  I've never heard of that one.  Yikes!

My son is allergic to dairy, wheat, eggs, etc but in general.....if consumed alone those generally don't cause anaphylaxis...although certainly could if together (as we experienced when he was about 10 mos old and again at 12 months.  So I know how it can be--but peanuts---literally ONE peanut can be fatal.    

I'm not weighing in either pro or against peanut bans, but I did want to address this statement. It's a common misconception, but milk, egg, wheat, etc. can cause anaphylaxis when consumed alone and in tiny amounts just like peanuts. Peanuts get more publicity, but other allergens can be just as deadly.

macchiatto

We dealt with a peanut allergy (which fortunately has been outgrown) along with a bunch of other food allergies so I understand how you're feeling! And I've read the debates about being peanut-free versus free of other allergens and I think there is some good reasoning behind the peanut bans compared to other allergens.

EastCoastBride

Blackvelvet:

  I understand your concern but where do we stop?  I have an anaphylaxis allergy to celery even if something else was cooked on the same pan then my food was cooked I react.  We really can't bad everything becasue people are allergic to LOTS of differnt things it's a fine line but really we can't just band one thing when others are just as bad for others.

I too get where you're coming from, but yeah - it's more than peanuts that can cause anaphylaxis.  Peanuts may be the most common, but I know a boy who is equally as allergic to dairy.  I've seen him go into shock after taking a bite of egg.

Where do you draw the line? 

kyfirewife

Spin313:

I understand how you feel, since your child has a peanut allergy, but imagine if we started outlawing anything in schools that anyone was allergic to...milk, wheat, strawberries, latex, etc. My sister has a caffeine allergy...could you imagine no soda, chocolate, or coffee products in schools?

This. I had a friend who was severely allergic to tomatoes. Like, one accidental bite & she'll be hospitalized allergic.

I can sympathize w/ your anxiety, but I can't blame a school for not banning one specific product because one or more students may or may not be allergic.

buhfe

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