Junior High and Allergies

[livndisney]

To clarify- once again- the cleaning process for nuts is different that other allergens thereby making nuts a unique case when it comes to schools. Most schools wipe tables with a damp rag between classes and do not use cleaners until the end of the day. For most foods, this is sufficient to eliminate the food protein from the surface- not for nuts. As far as parents of nut allergic kids yelling the loudest, that's just inflamatory.
Each parent is responsibile for making sure their child is safe at school and if eliminating nuts form the cafeteria menu is necessary for a child, then so be it. If another parent can show that it is necessary for another food to be eliminated from the cafeteria due to past reactions, I'd be willing to make those accomodations. This is not a parent trying to take the easy way out- food allergies are never easy. They take constant attention and care.

And of course you are willing to make sure the "cleaning" is done with products that will not cause life threatening reactions for others right?

 

[princessmom29]

To clarify- once again- the cleaning process for nuts is different that other allergens thereby making nuts a unique case when it comes to schools. Most schools wipe tables with a damp rag between classes and do not use cleaners until the end of the day. For most foods, this is sufficient to eliminate the food protein from the surface- not for nuts. As far as parents of nut allergic kids yelling the loudest, that's just inflamatory.
Each parent is responsibile for making sure their child is safe at school and if eliminating nuts form the cafeteria menu is necessary for a child, then so be it. If another parent can show that it is necessary for another food to be eliminated from the cafeteria due to past reactions, I'd be willing to make those accomodations. This is not a parent trying to take the easy way out- food allergies are never easy. They take constant attention and care.

Actually, schools are REQUIRED BY LAW to use bleach or another antimicrobial to clean tables. it is part of food serivce health code. Bleach is sufficent to break down the protien and get rid of the allergen, as are most other antimicrobials. they are anitmicrobial because of their ability to break down protiens that coat viruses and bacteria. If your school is not doing so they should be cited for a health code violation.

 

[livndisney]

Actually, schools are REQUIRED BY LAW to use bleach or another antimicrobial to clean tables. it is part of food serivce health code. Bleach is sufficent to break down the protien and get rid of the allergen, as are most other antimicrobials. they are anitmicrobial because of their ability to break down protiens that coat viruses and bacteria. If your school is not doing so they should be cited for a health code violation.

Actually a lot of schools are going "green" and switching to environmentally safe cleaners etc.

 

[princessmom29]

Actually a lot of schools are going "green" and switching to environmentally safe cleaners etc.

they can be both green and antimicrobial. I have used a couple of different plant based antimicrobials. Simple green makes a good one. Whatever they use is required by health code to meet a certian antimicrobial standard.

 

[taylor3297]

In my 20 years of teaching middle school I have never taught at a peanut free school. Each of the schools I worked in (two different states) all of the school staff were required to attend training pertaining to allergies and other health issues. The cafeteria manager explained how the cafeteria staff dealt with peanut allergies. Also staff other than the cafeteria workers were not allowed in the kitchen since there were certain protocols in place in order to prevent cross contamination.

The last school I worked at the only time peanuts were involved was for PB&J sandwhiches. The sandwhiches were put into special containers and a student had to ask for it.

Some schools systems receive free peanut butter from the state.

Like other people have said there are many other life threatening allergies. My sister used to have to carry a mask with her due to extreme sensitivity to freshly mowed grass. If she were to walk outside while grass was being mowed or just had been mowed she would have a major attack. The mask didn't stop the attack but would help prevent it from being as severe. Pretty much during grass mowing season she stayed inside. After 10 years of treatment she can be outside with freshly mowed grass but she has to take her medicine before going out and has to keep an epi-pen with her just in case. Her severe allergy was during the time she was in school, and she was responsible of letting her teachers know if she was able to go outside during recess.

 

[livndisney]

they can be both green and antimicrobial. I have used a couple of different plant based antimicrobials. Simple green makes a good one. Whatever they use is required by health code to meet a certian antimicrobial standard.

I understand that, my point was schools are getting away from using bleach.

 

[princessmom29]

I understand that, my point was schools are getting away from using bleach.

bleach was just the quickest, most easily recognized cleaner that came to mind to get my point across.

 

[disneyandme]

Actually, schools are REQUIRED BY LAW to use bleach or another antimicrobial to clean tables. it is part of food serivce health code. Bleach is sufficent to break down the protien and get rid of the allergen, as are most other antimicrobials. they are anitmicrobial because of their ability to break down protiens that coat viruses and bacteria. If your school is not doing so they should be cited for a health code violation.

And in most states, cleaning products cannot be sprayed while children are present. Therefore, the tables are damp wiped- often by students themselves- between classes and then sanitized at the end of lunch.

 

[princessmom29]

And in most states, cleaning products cannot be sprayed while children are present. Therefore, the tables are damp wiped- often by students themselves- between classes and then sanitized at the end of lunch.

Proper procedure is that the cleaner be mixed with water and then usedto wipe the tables. An adult should be doing this. Agian, not doing so in between groups of children is a violation of health code. Long sotry short, tables should be cleaned with antimicrobial cleaner between groups of children sitting down to eat. Not doing so is a health code vioaltion.

 

[michael's mom]

So the whole school should change for 1 child? Seems a bit unreasonable.

The likelihood of it being just one child is very rare. In the school I teach, there are about 5 students per grade level (and we have less than 90 students per grade) so greater than 5% of the population.

And, there's nothing unreasonable about her concern. These allergies are life-threatening. Students don't have the "right" to eat peanut butter. But they do have the right to attend school in a safe environment. What OP is asking is how they can cook and serve meals in the kitchen that include peanuts in some form, knowing the risks of cross-contamination which can happen very quickly and easily, thus causing an emergent situation for the school. All it takes is the person making the peanut butter sandwiches to stir the pasta in the pot because the person cooking that is working on something else. Now, we have cross contamination. The tiniest bit can kill someone with an allergy. And yes, I know this because I am the mother of an peanut allergic child.

 

[princessmom29]

The likelihood of it being just one child is very rare. In the school I teach, there are about 5 students per grade level (and we have less than 90 students per grade) so greater than 5% of the population.

And, there's nothing unreasonable about her concern. These allergies are life-threatening. Students don't have the "right" to eat peanut butter. But they do have the right to attend school in a safe environment. What OP is asking is how they can cook and serve meals in the kitchen that include peanuts in some form, knowing the risks of cross-contamination which can happen very quickly and easily, thus causing an emergent situation for the school. All it takes is the person making the peanut butter sandwiches to stir the pasta in the pot because the person cooking that is working on something else. Now, we have cross contamination. The tiniest bit can kill someone with an allergy. And yes, I know this because I am the mother of an peanut allergic child.

The same is true of the person making the eggs in the morning, or helping a child open thier milk, yet no one is calling for milk or eggs to be banned. I still want to know why peanuts shoudl be banned in school, but not milk or eggs?
ETA: I don't know where the tumbs down came from???

 

[Leajess99]

Asking the school to not serve them is infringing on other people. Just for 1 child everyone should do without one of the easiest and cheapest proteins off the menu? When all that 1 child needs to do is not eat. And if that child is so severely allergic are you telling me they would trust an operation run as well as we all know school cafeterias are to not have any cross contamination? So everyone will be inconvenienced and that child will probably not eat there anyway.

And I also ask again who gets to determine which allergy gets accommodated?
They can't prohibit everything.

Actually, the child can qualify for a 504 plan based off the food allergy. It is determined on a case by case basis so a child with a peanut allergy could in fact have accomodations made.

The concept you keep throwing out there would be in line with the school is okay to have the moldy ceiling tiles and what not because not all kids are allergic to mold. Who cares that the kids with the mold allergies often suffer bad respiratory problems. Asking a school to make the area safe for the child should NOT be such a problem. No one is asking that the school go completely peanut free but that the cafeteria not serve peanut products. Why the heck would you want your child buying a peanut butter and jelly uncrustable or sandwich for lunch rather than having the other options?? School lunches here cost $2 unless the child qualifies for reduced or free lunches. My kids know they are not to buy the uncurstables for lunch. If they want PB&J they can take their lunch from home.

 

[Leajess99]

No but many other allergies are life threatening. Shellfish allergies can be just as life threatening as peanuts. The question is where do we stop. Peanut allergy kids aren't any more special than shellfish allergies. And yes it can be hard for a school to serve ham and cheese, more expensive, more refrigeration needed, different storage requirements.
Compromise is a peanut free table, but that actually can be a problem if space is at a premium and a whole table is taken up by 1 kid but that at least is a compromise.
Should no gym classes go outside because 1 child is allergic to bees?

Okay so just curious but how many school districts actually serve shellfish?? I am serious here as our school district does NOT serve shellfish nor do any of the school districts my kids have ever been in.

 

[Hannathy]

Actually, the child can qualify for a 504 plan based off the food allergy. It is determined on a case by case basis so a child with a peanut allergy could in fact have accomodations made.

Isn't it reasonable accommodations? That would not mean the entire school would have to change. It would mean a peanut free table.


My DD's school had seafood pasta on the menu rotation at least twice a month.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

While I get the stress and fear of a child with a life threatening allergy I don't think some of you realize what a big process it would be to go nut free. The schools contract a company to supply the food. The nutrition committee meets to determine just how much can be spent per child on a meal. They then have to come up with a menu that stays in the budget and is in the contractual food lists etc. from the company that won the bid for the school. Once that is done it is all written up and there is your lunch program. It is not an easy process at all. To go nut free is more than not offering peanut butter and jelly. Many foods are processed in factories that have nuts in them. That would now make those foods as well off limits.

Let's say that the school is in contract with Company X. Company X is the food supplier. Everything is set to go. Company X gets their food from all over and some foods are made in nut factories. Unless it is specifically written into the original contracts that they must be from nut free facilities they do not have to provide that. If you want to change your school you must lobby the school and the school board so that when theses contracts are drawn up these are clauses that are put in there.

Everyone thinks that you just eliminate a few foods and that is it. The food doesn't come from Waldbaums. It's not some Mom with a list each week reading labels. It is a food supplier like airlines use.
IMO the best thing to do is to teach your child and let the school know. If your child is that sick and I have complete sympathy for that kind of situation then you need to get a 504 in place to insure their safety.

 

[michael's mom]

The same is true of the person making the eggs in the morning, or helping a child open thier milk, yet no one is calling for milk or eggs to be banned. I still want to know why peanuts shoudl be banned in school, but not milk or eggs?
ETA: I don't know where the tumbs down came from???

Well, first of all, as MANY have said, it is more difficult to remove the peanut protein than proteins of other allergens. Secondly, the nutritional value from peanut butter (protein) can ge acquired from multiple sources and those other ones are far superior as far as healthy choices with the amount of sugar contained in most peanut butter (especially that served in schools). And, it's easier to ban nuts than allergens such as milk and wheat and soy. I am a teacher in a peanut free/nut free elementary school. Not only does our cafeteria not serve it, but children aren't allowed to bring it in from home. And guess what! Not one kid has ever complained to me that they want their peanut butter. Kids get it. They want their friends to be safe and healthy. It's the parents of non-allergic children who feel inconvenienced and who think that parents of children with allergies are just being pushy and over-reactive.

When our school made the choice to go peanut/nut free, I sat on the committee discussing the alternative options. A parent brought up that very question. What about the other allergens. And our principal was very clear that if another food-born allergen as severe as the 30 or so kids in our small school have, that she would probably have the cafeteria find alternatives. At least not serve it themselves.

Okay so just curious but how many school districts actually serve shellfish?? I am serious here as our school district does NOT serve shellfish nor do any of the school districts my kids have ever been in.

I've been thinking the very same thing. The closest thing I've ever seen on a school lunch menu was fish-sticks. And, none of the kids ordered them so they stopped serving them.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Well, first of all, as MANY have said, it is more difficult to remove the peanut protein than proteins of other allergens. Secondly, the nutritional value from peanut butter (protein) can ge acquired from multiple sources and those other ones are far superior as far as healthy choices with the amount of sugar contained in most peanut butter (especially that served in schools). And, it's easier to ban nuts than allergens such as milk and wheat and soy. I am a teacher in a peanut free/nut free elementary school. Not only does our cafeteria not serve it, but children aren't allowed to bring it in from home. And guess what! Not one kid has ever complained to me that they want their peanut butter. Kids get it. They want their friends to be safe and healthy. It's the parents of non-allergic children who feel inconvenienced and who think that parents of children with allergies are just being pushy and over-reactive.

When our school made the choice to go peanut/nut free, I sat on the committee discussing the alternative options. A parent brought up that very question. What about the other allergens. And our principal was very clear that if another food-born allergen as severe as the 30 or so kids in our small school have, that she would probably have the cafeteria find alternatives. At least not serve it themselves.



I've been thinking the very same thing. The closest thing I've ever seen on a school lunch menu was fish-sticks. And, none of the kids ordered them so they stopped serving them.

Okay- so no nuts or pb. What about chips ahoy chocolate chips as an example? They are made in a plant that processes nuts. Are those allowed? Does all the food brough in have to be checked for that?

 

[michael's mom]

Isn't it reasonable accommodations? That would not mean the entire school would have to change. It would mean a peanut free table.


My DD's school had seafood pasta on the menu rotation at least twice a month.

So clearly, after numerous posters have tried to explain to you, you still haven't understood. A peanut free table does not solve the problem. It can actually give a child a false sense of security. Our school made the choice that it did because not allowing peanut/nut products was the easier choice than requiring ALL children to wash their hands before exiting the classroom (and finding the space/time for this to happen).

Not to mention the fact that by forcing children to a peanut free table, you are discriminating against them because of their health. Why should an allergic child not be able to enjoy lunch with his friends? Why should he be "banished" to the corner of the cafeteria? Lunchtime is an extremely important part of a child's day.

Peanut free table was never an option for our school, even during the alternative ideas the committe I sat on had. One choice was having peanut-tables. That way, any child who chose to eat peanut butter would sit away from the other children, and not the kids who have the allergy.

 

[michael's mom]

Okay- so no nuts or pb. What about chips ahoy chocolate chips as an example? They are made in a plant that processes nuts. Are those allowed? Does all the food brough in have to be checked for that?

Actually, they are not. Chips Ahoy are a safe choc. chip cookie for children with peanut allergies. And yes, all food needs to be checked. My first graders bring their snacks to me all the time and ask me to check if it's safe for them to eat in the classroom because xx is allergic. If it's a snack that has a warning on it of any kind, they willingly get another snack.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Actually, they are not. Chips Ahoy are a safe choc. chip cookie for children with peanut allergies. And yes, all food needs to be checked. My first graders bring their snacks to me all the time and ask me to check if it's safe for them to eat in the classroom because xx is allergic. If it's a snack that has a warning on it of any kind, they willingly get another snack.

Good to know about chips ahoy- they weren't always a safe food from what I recall. I can only say that you must have a very small school. There is no way that parents would let the school dictate their food shopping lists here. Not that I would ever want a child to be ill but that is a lot to ask of people especially with the economy being what it is.