Food Allergy Awareness
While it is impossible to claim that any environment is “allergen-free”, we do our best to educate our staff and students in the severity of food allergies, and promote safety for those who have life threatening allergies.
Below is some helpful information about allergies, resources available, and some suggestions for snacks or lunches for your student.
Food Allergies:
- 33 million Americans are living with life-threatening food allergies and intolerances.
- According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011.
- Every 10 seconds, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency department – that is more than 200,000 emergency department visits per year.
- There is a 377% increase in treatment of diagnosed anaphylactic reactions to food between 2007 and 2016.
- Food allergy is a disease of the immune system that makes the body fight harmless food proteins as if they were dangerous viruses or bacteria. This over-reaction leads to symptoms ranging from sneezing, skin rashes or digestive problems, to a life threatening multi-organ reaction called anaphylaxis which can lead to death.
- Studies show that at least 1 in 13 children have life threatening food allergies. That means that there is a high probability that at least 1 or 2 students in your child’s classroom have a life threatening food allergy.
- Food allergies affect children and adults of all races and ethnicity and can develop at any age.
- Studies show the number of children living with peanut/tree nut allergy appears to have tripled between 1997 and 2008.
- While any food can cause allergies, 90% of all food allergic reactions are caused by: peanuts, shellfish, soy, egg, wheat, fish, milk, sesame, and tree nuts.
- There is no cure for food allergies. Strict avoidance of food allergens and early recognition and management of allergic reactions to food are important measures to prevent serious health consequences.
The following are some ideas of what you can prepare your child for snack or lunch. It is difficult to provide a list of safe foods/snacks because manufacturers can change ingredients without warning. Be creative! (For example, eat peanut butter and jelly for breakfast and send in breakfast items for lunch.)
Use a thermos to keep warm foods warm, or an ice pack to keep cold foods cool.
Soup Stew Stir fry
Mac-n-Cheese Pasta w/ sauce Meat Sandwiches
Salad Crackers Fruit
Veggies and dip Yogurt Sliced chicken
Cherry tomatoes Melon balls Pasta salad
Tuna Miniature meatballs
Pack taco salad ingredients in separate containers and let your child put them together at school.
Crackers with cheese and pepperoni/ham/salami/etc.
Resources:
www.foodallergy.org (Food Allergy Network)
www.aafa.org (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
www.acaai.org (American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology)
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Burton, the school nurse at 440-974-5407.