Peanut Allergy

[C.Ann]

If my child suffered from an allergy to peanuts that could result in death, I would not consider a "peanut-free school" a safe environment - simply because there is no way that it can actually be enforced.. A parent may "forget" and send in something that contains peanuts; "grandma" may pack juniors lunch and not be aware of the policy; a child could eat one of the peanut-containing cereals for breakfast and then breathe on my child; some parents would flat out refuse to abide by the rules; - and on and on and on..

If my child's life depended on absolutely no exposure to peanuts; peanut by products; peanut residue; or airborne peanut odors - I would be homeschooling that child..

If you think a request to have the school become "peanut-free" is going to insure your child's safety, I'm afraid you're flirting with disaster..

The safest place for your child to be is at home - hard as that may be..

 

[seabee]

If my child suffered from an allergy to peanuts that could result in death, I would not consider a "peanut-free school" a safe environment - simply because there is no way that it can actually be enforced.. A parent may "forget" and send in something that contains peanuts; "grandma" may pack juniors lunch and not be aware of the policy; a child could eat one of the peanut-containing cereals for breakfast and then breathe on my child; some parents would flat out refuse to abide by the rules; - and on and on and on..

If my child's life depended on absolutely no exposure to peanuts; peanut by products; peanut residue; or airborne peanut odors - I would be homeschooling that child..

If you think a request to have the school become "peanut-free" is going to insure your child's safety, I'm afraid you're flirting with disaster..

The safest place for your child to be is at home - hard as that may be..

Unfortunately that isn't feasible for all families.

 

[C.Ann]

Unfortunately that isn't feasible for all families.

---------------------

If a childs life depends upon it, then the parents need to make it feasible.. If they can't stay home and do it themselves, then they would have to budget their finances so that they could afford a private tutor.. We're talking about a "life" here - and there is never going to be any such thing as a 100% "peanut-free" school regardless of what their policies are..

 

[mommy*RN]

...there is never going to be any such thing as a 100% "peanut-free" school regardless of what their policies are..

I agree with this. Nothing like a false sense of security. Reminds me of all these "Drug Free" schools with the special signs and such stating they are drug free -- on the news -- BIG DRUG BUST AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. There are peanuts in those schools every day that school is in session...trust me.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Dont serve milk products and then the children who allergic to milk will be saved, dont serve wheat, fish, nuts, dont have outdoor recess to limit the risk to those who are allergic to bee stings... thats the problem with that thought process. Sure peanuts are not such a big deal, but then you have to worry about the others. Because if you can accomadate a peanut allergy why not a milk allergy.

I've had 2 students who had anaphylactic reactions to milk. One went into anaphylactic shock at his OWN birthday party (I was there and I'm the one who recognized what was happening first), from touching a child who had obviously a small amount of ice cream on their hand. Neither of these parents requested a milk-free environment for their child at school. They educated the teacher (me) and the principal. Their parents provided acceptable snacks they could have when other students brought in items for birthday parties, etc. I did not have any milk products in the classroom at any time, for any party, etc. It was easy to accomodate. Both boys (unrelated) had to learn that they could NEVER eat anything from anyone else, and that they couldn't eat near messy children (LOL), or they'd need to ask the lunch aide to come clean it up. I was trained by the school nurse on how to administer their epi-pens. I however have an anaphylactic reaction myself to strawberries, and have my own epi-pen.

 

[chisnpeke]

Dont serve milk products and then the children who allergic to milk will be saved, dont serve wheat, fish, nuts, dont have outdoor recess to limit the risk to those who are allergic to bee stings... thats the problem with that thought process. Sure peanuts are not such a big deal, but then you have to worry about the others. Because if you can accomadate a peanut allergy why not a milk allergy.

This scenario is never answered or explained by people who want a school to go nut free.

Would someone on this thread who is in favor of having a nut free school please explain how you would accomodate children who are allergic to milk and wheat? Common food items. What about kids who are allergic to more than one thing? Should all of those items be banned for that ONE child?

 

[chisnpeke]

I can attest to that. We had a mom in a nearby town who wanted to be with her child the entire day (was worried about peanut residue on desks, books,staircase railings, etc.) Not only did she want to follow him around all day, she wanted the district to pay her as an aide.

 

[JoBird]

I seriously think that the only logical solution to all of thses problems is for all schools everywhere to shut down their lunchrooms and to do away with ALL forms of eating in the school.
Period.

Because it seems that there are so many life threatening allergies to so many things- PLUS there are children that can ONLY eat certain things- if I was a Principal I would go crazy trying to accomodate the masses.

So all across the USA- institute a closing of the school at noon. That way everyone can rush over, pick their kids up, take them home to feed them whatever it is they can tolerate- then everyone can rush back to school to drop them off and the kids can come home from school and hour later in the day.

What???
Not feasible???

Oh yeah- it's about as logical as saying that one allergy is worse than another and so THAT allergen should be banned.

If you ban one, you ban them all- and then, my logical solution seems...
well, logical. Because no one would have anything left to eat at that point.

Jo

 

[lukenick1]

How about this one.......
Went to LongHorn Steak House for dinner tonight. My ds who is peanut/tree nut allergic started getting hives on his wrist and then started getting a little asthmatic. We couldn't figure out why. The waitress assured us there were no peanut products in the food he was eating. He had grilled chicken and steamed veggies. As we were leaving I noticed bowls of Peanuts in the shell at the bar. Beleive me I spoke to a manager. THERE WERE NO SIGNS ANYWHERE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT WARNING PEOPLE OF RAW PEANUTS BEING SERVED AT THAT ESTABLISHMENT. When you crack open a shell it creates a dust that can easily transport thru the air or even into the heating/ac vents. They are VERY lucky noone has died yet. Please be very careful when entering a restaurant of you suffer this allergy. Take a good look around before you get a table. I beleive that someone ate peanuts at our table sometime before resulting in hives on my sons arms. It could have been much worse!

 

[livndisney]

How about this one.......
Went to LongHorn Steak House for dinner tonight. My ds who is peanut/tree nut allergic started getting hives on his wrist and then started getting a little asthmatic. We couldn't figure out why. The waitress assured us there were no peanut products in the food he was eating. He had grilled chicken and steamed veggies. As we were leaving I noticed bowls of Peanuts in the shell at the bar. Beleive me I spoke to a manager. THERE WERE NO SIGNS ANYWHERE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT WARNING PEOPLE OF RAW PEANUTS BEING SERVED AT THAT ESTABLISHMENT. When you crack open a shell it creates a dust that can easily transport thru the air or even into the heating/ac vents. They are VERY lucky noone has died yet. Please be very careful when entering a restaurant of you suffer this allergy. Take a good look around before you get a table. I beleive that someone ate peanuts at our table sometime before resulting in hives on my sons arms. It could have been much worse!

I don't know that I have ever seen a sign saying peanuts are served. Is that a law/rule or something?

 

[lukenick1]

I don't know that I have ever seen a sign saying peanuts are served. Is that a law/rule or something?

Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse Restaurants have warning signs all over their front door. Do not enter if you are Peanut allergic. Peanuts in the shell are served here and may cause a serious reaction in an allergic person.

 

[ameraumi]

Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse Restaurants have warning signs all over their front door. Do not enter if you are Peanut allergic. Peanuts in the shell are served here and may cause a serious reaction in an allergic person.

I was just coming to say that ours has the same sign at the front door, before you step foot in the building.

 

[livndisney]

Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse Restaurants have warning signs all over their front door. Do not enter if you are Peanut allergic. Peanuts in the shell are served here and may cause a serious reaction in an allergic person.

We have a Roadhouse Steakhouse here that has peanuts all over the place. They throw the shells on the floor. I wonder if they are a chain.

edited to add link-
This is why I was surprised-from the Texas Roadhouse Website: http://www.texasroadhouse.com/contact-us/

"We understand that many people are affected by allergies to peanuts and other food items. Free peanuts are a very popular item for our guests and we will continue to offer them. We understand that, unfortunately, peanut allergies may force some Roadhouse guests to steer clear of our restaurants.

That’s why we gladly offer carry-out service to all of our guests. This will allow you to enjoy Roadhouse food without putting yourself at risk. Heck, we’ll even bring the order out to your vehicle so that your allergic exposure would be minimized. Just place your order with your favorite roadhouse location and alert your ordertaker of your special needs."

 

[mommy*RN]

I love the peanuts at Texas Roadhouse, but I never thought of the peanut allergy angle of it. I would totally be cool with them discontinuing them for the safety of peanut allergic guests. It's a nice perk, but not at the risk of someones health. Sounds like they've had people complain and are deciding to continue providing the peanuts. Maybe with the declining economy it won't be fiscally smart for them to have the peanuts anymore and they can boost their profits by then allowing allergic people be able to dine at their restaurant. One can hope.

I am glad they have postings at the door to warn people though. I've never noticed when we've gone there...but will definitely check at our next visit.

I hope this post makes sense...I'm tired.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I love the peanuts at Texas Roadhouse, but I never thought of the peanut allergy angle of it. I would totally be cool with them discontinuing them for the safety of peanut allergic guests. It's a nice perk, but not at the risk of someones health. Sounds like they've had people complain and are deciding to continue providing the peanuts. Maybe with the declining economy it won't be fiscally smart for them to have the peanuts anymore and they can boost their profits by then allowing allergic people be able to dine at their restaurant. One can hope.

I am glad they have postings at the door to warn people though. I've never noticed when we've gone there...but will definitely check at our next visit.

I hope this post makes sense...I'm tired.

Why its a popular part of the restaurant? They have made take out possible for peanut allergy so they have been accomodated, so there is no problem there if you want to go in I am sure there will be other restaurant, there was a news story of a popular indian curry house that has warning signs, someone actually came on the radio saying restaurants should have 2 kitchens one for peanut allegery.

 

[mommy*RN]

Why its a popular part of the restaurant? They have made take out possible for peanut allergy so they have been accomodated, so there is no problem there if you want to go in I am sure there will be other restaurant, there was a news story of a popular indian curry house that has warning signs, someone actually came on the radio saying restaurants should have 2 kitchens one for peanut allegery.

I guess I just look at it differently. No one in my family is allergic...actually no one I'm close to is. I just think it's not the most important thing in the restaurant. I know I would still go there if they didn't have the nuts. A restaurant near us always had in the shell peanuts available...then they switched to popcorn. I don't know why...but it was a nice alternative. Most restaurants in our area have take out so that wasn't such big news to me.

 

[sha_lyn]

Why its a popular part of the restaurant? They have made take out possible for peanut allergy so they have been accomodated, so there is no problem there if you want to go in I am sure there will be other restaurant, there was a news story of a popular indian curry house that has warning signs, someone actually came on the radio saying restaurants should have 2 kitchens one for peanut allegery.

While I don't have a problem with them having peanuts (but agree it should be posted) the take-out thing is ridiculous because of cross contamination.
Also I doubt they made take-out available to accomodate the peanut allergic, they made it avaiable because most restaurant do.

OH and BTW.... The one near us didn't do very much business at all and recently closed.

 

[wic0721]

I feel your pain, I was that child way back when! The only difference was at the time, I was the only kid in school allergic to peanuts. There were no peanut free tables, or notes sent home to parents asking that peanut products not be sent into school! I can't tell you how many times I ended up hospitalized for a week at a time growing up. I'm 43 years old now! I can smell peanuts a mile away, but I don't know what they taste like, and that's what got me into trouble so much when I was younger! Nothing like eating a PB cookie and not realizing it was PB until your throat starts closing up!

Unfortunately, I passed this allergy on to my now 9 year old DD. We did the peanut free table in 1st grade, but she ended up having to sit alone all the time, which I thought was soooo wrong! Now she knows she eats only what I have given her, and the school cafeteria's know not to give her anything that contains nuts! Their main meals are all peanut free, but they are still offering PBJ this year, it's being phased out next year! Notes are also sent home at the beginning of each school year requesting that no peanut products be sent into school. My DD has been lucky, and knock on wood...she has not eaten anything questionable.

The town next to us, Gardner, Massachusetts is completely peanut free in all their schools now, because there are a few severely allergic children working their way through the school system.

I asked my DD's allergist to test her to find out the severity of her reaction, should she actually eat peanuts, but she wouldn't do it because she said results change from day to day. All she basically told her was based on my reactions (I go into anaphyaltic shock) we need to keep her away from them. We also keep an epi pen with us at all times for the both of us!

Hang in there! I've heard that they are working on a allergy shot for peanut alllergy sufferers!

 

[lukenick1]

Thats fine with me if Roadhouse wants to serve peanuts, I will just avoid going there. But I really would appreciate it if other restaurants that serve peanuts would post the warning on their front door like Roadhouse does. Not advising us is a very dangerous situation and they risk being sued BIG TIME!!!

 

[monkey68]

Thats fine with me if Roadhouse wants to serve peanuts, I will just avoid going there. But I really would appreciate it if other restaurants that serve peanuts would post the warning on their front door like Roadhouse does. Not advising us is a very dangerous situation and they risk being sued BIG TIME!!!

I'm actually curious about this, do they have to specify that they serve peanuts? I would think the responsibility should fall upon the person with the allergy (or parent of child with allergy) to determine whether or not the restaurant is safe for them to eat at. I've never seen a restaurant say before walking in "Peanuts are served here". I think the most I've seen are menu items marked with an asterisk indicating that they may contain products made with tree nuts/peanuts. But if my allergy were that severe, I wouldn't expect the restaurant to inform me, I would make sure it was OK for me first. Growing up, my sister would get very bad asthma attacks from cigarette smoke, and back when restaurants still had smoking sections, we would find out ahead of time how far away the non smoking section was from the smokers and how well partitioned it was. We never expected the restaurant to have a warning about how the sections were divided. If you don't ask about peanuts knowing you have a severe allergy, then how is the restaurant supposed to know