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What Is Peanut Free?

Peanut free means peanut safe. Does that mean an entire lunchroom must eliminate peanuts to be safe, or is a peanut free section sufficient? What is your opinion? Below are opinions sent in from the visitors to this web site. If you have an opinion you would like to share, please fill out the form below.

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What Is Peanut Free?

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Cynthia

Peanut free lunchroom

Our school has the children eat their lunches in the classroom. There is no true cafeteria. This presents a problem for me. The lunch aids rotate around the rooms, so there may not even be supervision at times. I requested to board of education to look into the idea of creating a peanut free room for lunch. I don't think I had a choice in the matter. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

Nebraska

Peter Carroll

Lunch in classroom

My child eats lunch in the classroom. I prefer a completely peanut-free room. NO peanut products at all ! Peanut-free means to me ...nothing, nada, zero, none, zilch -----NO PEANUT PRODUCTS. There is no room for error.

Oklahoma

Jen Zimmer

Yes, peanut free

Agreed. There is no room for error. Many people do not understand this!

California

Lauren P.

I believe in peanut free lunchrooms

I believe a peanut free lunchroom is needed. No peanut or nut products at all. This will create a safe environment.

Pennsylvania

Sam

No peanut free lunchroom

I disagree with Lauren from PA. I would like a peanut free table for my child. If you create a peanut free lunchroom, other problems will occur. I know a parent who took the wrappers off a peanut product, placed it in a baggie disguised, and sent it in with their child's lunch. This could have been very dangerous.

Utah

Anonymous

Peanut free

Where I work, we have a peanut free work area. My boss is allergic to peanuts, milk, and soy. It has not caused any problems. My daughter is allergic to nuts as well, but she is not in school yet, so I don't know what the policy is as of yet. My preference is no peanut products at all in the entire lunchroom. To me, peanut free means the entire facility.

Arizona

Mississippi

I don't agree

My 3 daughters are all allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. I am against banning peanut products from the school cafeteria. There are many children who like peanut butter sandwiches. It may be the only thing they eat for lunch. Since you want everyone to support your cause, you should also support them. By banning peanut products all together, you will probably lose the support of the families who want peanut products in their child's lunch boxes. As long as your school takes the correct precautions, this can be accomplished.

South Carolina

Peter Cavanagh

I disagree

I disagree with the woman with the 3 daughters. This is your child's life you are dealing with. There is NO margin for error. I have learned I cannot trust anyone at my child's school to take the correct precautions when it comes to my child's life!

England

Sean and Carol

Peanut Free

We believe firmly that schools should be peanut-free. Our child had a major problem at school due to some carelessness on behalf of the lunch room aid.

Nebraska, USA

Deanna

peanut free lunch rooms

My daughter is allergic to all nuts. Here we have a whole peanut free school. Lunch is only one meal in an day. Nuts can be kept home and if a child complains, maybe they are to spoiled. There are many great foods in the world to try.

Ontario

haddon harper

public schools

To me peanut free (safe) is just that. My child is touch sensitive. Any contact with residual oil will cause a reation. Is it possible to enforce a 100% free environment in public schools? Even segregation. There's no way every child is going to wash their hands before returning to class.

tulsa, ok

FD

Haddon is correct

Haddon.....You are absolutely correct. No way every child is going to wash their hands before returning to class. Some parents of the non allergic kids need to know this!

UK

Sid

Peanut Free

Haddon is right. No teacher is going to monitor every single child in the class all the time.

Arizona

Lilly

No Peanut Free Cafeterias

I do not agree that we need to cater to the few that have this allergy. I do understand that it can be severe but we need to educate not ban. We live in a democratic society. All this banning of various items is becoming more of a dictatorship.

California

Kirsten

Lilly is right!

I agree that we cannot become a dictatorship. If parents are so worried about the allergies they should home school their children and not go out in public. The world is not accomodating. Each of us need to learn to adapt to the environment in which we live in. My school has a peanut free table and there are only a handful of children that sit there. Most kids eat peanut products on a daily basis. Education is taught in my area and there have been no problems!

New York

Joey DeMaria

Ignorance

Kirsten: Your comment, "If parents are so worried about the allergies they should home school their children and not go out in public" is probably the most ignorant comment on this forum. Is your child allergic to nuts? If yes, then I feel sorry for them.

New York

Cynthia

The Truth

Joey, you beat me to it. I was going to post the same thing. Very sad!

San Fran, CA

Jill J.

Peanut Free

I can not believe some of the ignorance that has been displayed by comments such as Kirstens. To be a peanut free school does not mean that these peanut lovers have to give up their peanut butter forever, only at school, to ensure that other children can attend school without going into anaphalactic shock. Its too bad that many parents do not have the heart to understand this. Its not like we are asking them to give up water.

Kansas

Sam Polly

Thank you Jill

Thank you Jill. Very well put. To me, it's like leaving an open bottle of aspirin on a table in front of a young child. You just don't do it because you know it will hurt a child if ingested.

Missouri

Juliana

Lived through the lunchroom experience

Hi, I am currently in University, so the lunchroom days are behind me, but having been allergic to peanut/nuts all my life, I know firsthand what it's like. In my elementary school, children who brought peanuts/peanut products for lunch had to either eat them in another classroom, or in the hallway, and then had to wash their hands thoroughly. I never had any reactions (but understand some may be more sensitive than I am). I do know that those children were often mean and resentful that they had to leave because of me. So I completely understand that people think it's unfair, but they have to understand how important it is that everyone can be safe at school.

Ontario, Canada

Mary

Peanut free lunchroom

At our school, they sit at a peanut free table. This is a problem for me because it singles out a child. Also it does not create a safe enviroment for my child once back in the classroom. If a child sitting next to my child in the classroom ate a peanut butter sandwich at lunch and did not wash his hands properly he will "contaminate" objects in the classroom - now endangering my child.

North Carolina

lori

5 out of 21

yes only 5 out of 21 meals is all we are asking. the disablilty of peanut allergy is the most severe ever seen in schools. we should be proactive and go peanut free. how many kids need to die or go to the hospital traumatized by their own allergy? we need to keep the faith! kids cannot bring guns to school for the safety of others...so they shouldnt bring nuts either.

st. louis , missouri

John

Lori

Well written Lori. Thank you for your kind, intelligent words.

New York

kerri gagnon

peanut free

peanut free would be that they are not allowed in schools and unfortunately those who are uneducated may not realize that if a child has some peanut products at home then comes to school without brushing their teeth or washing hands thats just as dangerous.So the better term is peanut safe.

oshawa

Diana

Peanut/Nut Allergy

My three year old son is allergic to peanuts and nuts. Unfortunately, it only takes a miniscule amount of the nut to cause a serious life-threatening reaction. Sorry, but children need to be protected. He is just three years old. I can't believe that parents say it is "unfair" to stop children from having nuts and nut products at lunchtime. Come on parents, have a heart! Diana

Chicago, IL

Crystal

Education - not bans

I agree with Kristen. Her argument is sound - the world is definitely not accomodating, and education is everything. My child is also allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and yes, I will be homeschooling him (not simply because of the allergies). Some are wanting to implement this ban which would affect the majority of children who don't suffer from allergies, but unwilling to do something so "insane" or "offending" as to homeschool the child for their safety (along with all the other benefits of homeschooling). I like the idea of a peanut-free table or area for those who do go to school or work. But I've never been a big fan of bans for the benefit of the minority even if I'm in that minority. My child may help to shape the world but never should expect the world to shape itself around him. Education is the key.

NH

Bob

Nut free schools

I agree that precautions need to be exercised in preventing episodes involving nut allergies, however you will never be able to eradicate the total possibility of it happening. I too feel that education is a powerful tool in this case. Both to the people WITH and WITHOUT the allergy. I feel that a separate area for non sensitive kids with strict handwashing PC would be appropriate as to allow them to live the life that they wish to while taking precautions for others. Kids with sensitivities, along with their parents will and need to take responsibility for their health without the major infringement of others. I am not about to take a crusade on shutting down food restaurants that use nut products on the chance that a person with a sensitivity may walk in and they have neglected themselve. People with medical conditions need to protect themselves because they cannot rely on others. Should we make schools sugar free for the newly diagnosed diabetic child who can't resist candy from his/her friend on the playground and may go into a diabetic coma? Something to ponder. Perhaps we all should live in a bubble.

North of Oshawa

Richard

Peanut

“We live in a democratic society. All this banning of various items is becoming more of a dictatorship.” First and foremost, we live in a Republic, and not a Democratic Society. The majority does not rule. We as citizens elect the representatives who we think will best represent our interests. The United States of America is a Republic and not a true democratic society. "If parents are so worried about the allergies they should home school their children and not go out in public.” I must admit, you make an excellent point, that is if the year is still 1972. However, the year is 2006. Remember your elected officials, who represent the majority of the population’s opinion, of this Republic enacted a law in 1973. The law is the American’s with Disabilities Act. That means that your logica is outdated by 33 years. The population majority has spoken; they want equal rights for everyone. Yes, even those with disabilities. Now comes the hard part. When your child is told that they can no longer take a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school, they immediately become upset. Through your rose colored glasses, you can not see that your dear sweet child has transformed themself into Veruca Salt. “Daddy, I want an Oompa Loompa and I want one nowwwwww!” At this point, you need to look into the eyes of your five year old and do some soul searching. What will create more duress for my child: Not having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or watching her 5 year old classmate sitting next to her react as their throat swells shut. Then, her classmate’s tongue and lips begin to swell. Finally, because the student to teacher ratio at lunch time is about 500:1, her classmate goes unnoticed while experiencing a dramatic drop in blood pressure that is so dramatic that he / she turns blue and passes into the afterlife. What is easier, telling your child that they can not have peanut butter for lunch, or escorting that same child through a viewing line at a classmate’s funeral? Remember there are 180 school days in a 365 day year. At three meals a day, school lunches represent only 16.4% of your child’s meals consumed per year. As a parent, when you sent your child to school for the very first time in their life, you worried about many things. Will my child leave the bus and go directly to their classroom? Will my child speak out before raising their hand? Will my child be bullied? Will my child be popular? Will my child get on the correct bus to come home? As the parent of a child with anaphylaxis, you only worry about one thing. Will I get a telephone call from the school saying that my child will not be coming home? The children in my son’s kindergarten class are wise beyond their years. They are very protective of my son, and on several occasions have pointed out to their parents that they need to check the ingredient labels when packing lunches. I ask you, why are the parents getting upset, when their children are not? The look in a child’s eye as they look to you for protection and explanation of life’s complexities is absolutely priceless. Each night I pray for several things. First, that my child will have the wisdom to question before eating. Second, that he sees a world without prejudice or judgment based on appearances. Finally, I pray that his classmate’s parents realize that my son means as much to me as their child does to them.

Pennsylvania

Bob

Reply

In response to Richard...first your child doesn't suffer from anaphylaxis..that is not until he ingests a nut. He actually suffers from an allergy or sensitivity until he ingests a nut then it may become an anaphylaxis reaction. Second I pray too that your child will have the wisdom to ask questions before he eats as this may save his life some day. Because it is only him that can ultimately protect himself. Thirdly most of us do realize that our children mean the world to us as parents but... I'm not going to not tuck a peanut butter sandwich in my back pocket or my kid's knapsack on the whimsickle that your son may be behind me or my kid on the street, in school in the afternoon or at the library...etc.

North of Oshawa

Richard

Reply to Bob

Bob, Thank You for taking the time to both read and reply to my post. I could not agree with you more when you state, “I'm not going to not tuck a peanut butter sandwich in my back pocket or my kid's knapsack on the whimsickle that your son may be behind me or my kid on the street.” You are correct in your assertion. I am not refuting your right to do this at all. However, we were talking about an enclosed cafeteria, not eating walking down the street. Let’s stay on topic. Second you stated, “Second I pray too that your child will have the wisdom to ask questions before he eats as this may save his life some day.” Let me first sincerely thank you for your prayer, it truly means something to me. However, a 5 year old who happens to slide their hand across the cafeteria table and get 2 milligrams of peanut protein on their finger and then rubs their eye, may go into anaphylactic shock. I don’t know too many 5 year olds who possess the Wisdom of Solomon and could avoid this. Do you really mean that you made your children fend 100 % for themselves at 5 years old? I did however get a chuckle out of your allergy anaphylactic semantics game. This is a very typical play on words than many with your view will express. It tends to help them sleep better at night. Ok, to make you happy I will use the correct terminology, my son has anaphylactic allergies. “…..it may become an anaphylaxis reaction.” You know, if you go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, you may survive. Are you really willing to take the chance of putting your 5 year old in the barrel and letting them go over the falls? Remember, you said a 5 year old should have the wisdom to take care of them self. You have not however answered the most important question of them all. If left up to your child, would they choose peanut butter over their classmate? I guess I’m glad to be in the United States of America, because my son’s classmates have chosen 100% against peanut butter.

Pennsylvania

Sam

Richard / Bob

I say 'peanut free' should mean no peanuts at all. When you are putting your trust in a 5 year old to make a safe environment because the school does not take the allergy seriously, just ban peanuts. Unfortunately, I have been conditioned by a horrible experience.....scared. This is after workshops my wife and I presented to the school, memos, and tons of meetings with school personal. I don't want to take anymore chances. Bob/Richard, you both really are not far off from each other. The bottom line is, you want to protect your children, just differently. I admire both of you! -Sammy

New York

David

Solution

We'll, Richard and Bob both have great points! The problem, if the parents of children with peanut allergies can't agree, imagine how hard it is with the parents who don't have children with peanut allergies!

Maine

Jay

Outdoor Ban?

I just became aware that the day camp that my children attend has gone "peanut-free". Is this not going a little bit too far? If my child can't eat PB&J, outside, on 27 acres, where can he? Are we to believe that peanuts are more of a threat than cigarettes? Soon we will only be able to eat peanuts in our home...but what if the trashman is allergic...

Maine

Jennifer

Jay...

In regards to the outdoor ban, I understand why you think that might be going to far. However, keep in mind that many people with severe peanut reactions are contact sensitive. So if your child was to touch my child after he ate his peanut butter sandwhich, my child could go into anaphlyactic shock. Can you understand now why I might be a little paranoid? If you think depriving your child of a pb&j while at camp is detrimental, think of how your child would feel if his classmate was to become severely ill or die in front of them!

Kennesaw, GA

K. U.

Education and Compassion

My 4yo daughter is severely allergic to peanuts, first one in our family, and I must admit it has been a roller coaster learning and guiding her through some of what for a non-allergic children are life's most common experiences. For example how many parents with non-allergic children have to worry that for the split second you turn to help your 2yo at the park some well meaning mother or another child will not share a piece of candy with your daughter that could end her life in 30 minutes? And, believe me, this is despite your efforts to 'educate'-- a child that young simply isn't mature enough to manage their allergy. How many non-allergic parents must have a plan in place for avoiding potentially lethal poisons before a playmate's birthday or Halloween or playdates or preschool or the park or church or restaurant or the grocery store. . . ? Have you had to brush off the wish that your child had been born with a "less lethal" allergy? Or shoulder her while she cries because everyone else can eat what was brought? How many of you have to worry that someone who does not take this allergy as seriously as you do will not ask their child wash their hands after some peanut butter toast for breakfast despite having the knowledge that their is a peanut allergic child in the group? How many of you have had to sit bedside over your child in the emergency room of a hospital while your 18 month old fights for her life because of just such an episode? Life is difficult enough raising children, then add the extra challenge of trying to educate others and avoiding something that for most people is common food. Education is wonderful. With education comes understanding, and with understanding-- sometimes-- compassion. But only in as much as people are willing to lay aside some conveniences for the sake of a child's safety. There are certain places, schools being one of them, that ought to be safe for every child when it is feasible. I don't think banning peanuts is an insurmountable sacrifice to ask people to make. I would gladly do the same for a child with another allergy. Many thanks to those who are willing to extend that hand of compassion when their own child is not found amongst the allergic.

Western States

K.U.

"Are we to believe that peanuts are more of a threat than cigarettes?" To Jay-- Yes, to a peanut allergic person a peanut is much more deadly than a cigarette. Imagine for a moment that by merely inhaling cigarette smoke you or your child could experience suffocation and lack of blood flow to vital organs almost instantly and be dead in less than half an hour. Now insert peanuts and you have the scenario some of us face daily. I know it can be a real pain-- I have to live with it every day whether I like it or not. Especially with children who do not understand the implications or are more prone to handle the situation poorly extra precautions are necessary for their safety.

Western States

Richard

Jay and the outdoor ban

Jay, I’m extremely surprised that this type of response would come from such a liberal state. Where is the compassion that liberals are so famous for? When I saw that you were posting from Maine, I expected you to suggest a $2.00 per pack cigarette tax be imposed to fund a new state agency. An agency that would help parents of an anaphylactic child be better parents and offer millions in subsidies. You need to keep in mind that the camp you referenced is a public place of business. As such, it is required, by law, to comply with the ADA. This is typical of the limousine liberal mind set. Government regulations are great as long as they don’t invade my comfort zone. My suggestion would be to: A) Write your congress person or B.) Start your own “private” day camp. P.S. You may want to be a little less critical, the odds are against you. Chances are that one of your children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren will be anaphylaxis.

Pennsylvania

Natasha

Lilly and kirsten are flat out selfish

To those who feel the same as these two. should realize if there kids turned out will this allergy. That their child could very well die so fast from a simple smear of peanut oil,should feel sad. we need to all come together and free our children with this allergy from the constant danger of those with the ignorance who continue to consume it knowing people die everyday from it.like they do from accidents. This is like a disease that is so preventable,unlike accidents. to not care for those with it and not support a 100% peanut/nut free everything, is 1000% selfish

Calgary ,Alberta

Natasha

peanut free

My son was diagnosed with peanut allergy when he was almost 3 it was a month before his third birthday. the doctors say you can start giving them peanut butter around age three. i had made homemade peanut butter cookies and my son normally never had them but this time i melted chocolate on them. he took one bite and started crying histarickly i got peanuts in my throat and asking for water. i tried to stay calm telling him its only peanuts in your throat you'll be o.k ,but after the water he was still crying . his lips looked to be turning purple and in the back of my mind thinking is he allergic, this can't be happenning.then he seemed tired and it was close to nap time, so i put him to bed.. then few seconds later he was crying i came to him and he had vomited and i took him to the toliet and he continued vomiting. Then he started rolling on the floor crying his stomach hurt. i had no vehicle and was pannicking .then my mom was on her way. by the time she arrived he had purple hives bubbled all over his body.To end the story he got treatment and was o.k that was the most scary day of my life. Now we carry and epi-pen every where we go he wears it in his fanny pack around his waist. i find that way it's always right with him just in case. he will be going to school soon and i worry. he knows how to protect himself we practice situations that may arrise everyday. but i fear other people might not take as much care with the peanut issue with there kids leaving my son vonurable to those kids who ate peanuts/products, may contains ,etc. with out washing up. causing a chain reaction from oils on toys fingers and every thing, my son could touch. if i am not there he could be in real danger.I feel home school is a good idea. but i know if i were to do that my son would miss out on the interacting and socializing and greatness of school.I wish we could take away these nuts right out of society so people no longer have to die from something we can control or just take nuts out of products period and if people want nuts in their food they can buy the nuts and make thier own peanut butter or put the nut in their own cookies. but other wise have no products sold containing them. i see that as a comprimise to banning them all together.Our kids with this allergy deserve a normal life. only we can make it safe only we can change this world to make it a better place. instead children are dying because we can't get enough of those nuts. nuts are a killer like a loaded gun waiting to to go off save our children lets make this world peanut /nut free. don't let the gun go off on your kid or your kids friend. kissing can now kill just because of peanuts/nuts holding hands with a friend can now kill because of peanuts/nuts. why do we let such a product control our lives and kill our children. i hope and pray for the day their are no nuts. so we don't have to live in fear we might loose our child someday from a kiss or hand shake lets keep praying someday our allergic child will be free of the fear and constant danger and they will get to live a normal day where a birthday party or dinner party or any event where their is food involved can be safe. thanks for listening

Alberta

Sean Manning

Re: For Jay

Jay, have you ever seen a child go into Anaphylactic Shock? If you did, you probably would not have written what you did. In fact, if you're child ever went into Anaphylactic Shock, you would be disgusted with your ignorant comments. With all do respect, we are talking about the safety of young children. We all need to work together and make it safe for everyone, every child. Stop being so selfish! You're child can live without peanut butter, but other child won't live with it around.

Ireland

Bob

At what age?

So tell me people at what age would it be appropriate for me to not have to worry about peanut products...middle school...high school...the work place...all on the chance that someone might have an allergy. Hell we might as well all crusade to get rid of the worlds supply of peanuts!!! I'm all for protecting children through education and PRECAUTIONS, but the rest of the world needs to live their lives as well. There will come a time when that child will have to look out for themself as they do grow up...unless you chose to put them into a bubble for their childhood. We all have issues in life be it social or medical issues and we need to deal with them ourselves...not pawn the responsibility of dealing with the issues to someone else. I have severe asthma...a life threatening condition...do I crusade around asking people not to smoke or wear strong perfumes as it may trigger my life threatening condition...no I deal with it myself....by educating myself and protecting myself against the risks. Come on...deal with it and educate your children how to protect themslves because some day when you cut the umbilical cord, if you ever do, they will need to look fter themselves

North of Oshawa

Maureen

Living with your allergy

My daughter has a dairy allergy that is so severe, even trace amounts will cause a severe anaphylaxis reaction. Ban Milk in schools ? No way! There are a couple of limitations in her classroom (no open milk cartons), but the cafeteria has no restrictions. She has learned to live with her allergy at school, and so have her friends. They have become more knowledgable and careful about allergies, than most grown-ups. Our dairy free home is not the 'real world', so by introducing dairy in a safe school setting, she has become mature and responsible with her allergy, and better trained to face the real world, where dairy is prevalent. She also carries her epipen on her at all times, a school policy regarding allergies. Learning to live with her allergy at school has been an excellent life lesson, something she couldn't learn in our artificial 'dairy free' environment at home. Banning the allergic food at school, doesn't prepare them for playgrounds, restaurants, shopping centres etc where trace amounts are possible. Train your teachers, administrators, friends and parents, and then let your child learn to live with their allergy.

British Columbia

John

Peanuts vs. Milk

My question to Maureen.....milk is severe, but can it cause problems being airborne? New studies have shown this about peanuts, and if you saw the report on Good Morning America, the boy in the video got sick with airborne peanut dust. Yes, you need to be careful with milk, and I respect that. If milk can cause a problem being airborne, then I have even more respect for how you protect your child. If milk is not airborne, then there is a huge difference in your opinion when it comes to the peanut allergy.

Amherst, NH USA

Jennifer

Peanut Free School?

At first I went with the concept of not asking the school to put others out by making it "peanut free", but after all of the mistakes and almosts that have happened, I truly feel like the only way for everyone to feel safe is to make a Peanut Free School. Only problem is that people like the mother of 3 and Kirsten stick a dagger in all of our efforts and we cannot get "peanut free" results. It is very sad how some mothers can't part with peanut butter for a school day.

New Jersey

Jennifer

How far do we go?

It's hard to say. At this point in my child's allergy I would love to see him remain in peanut / tree nut free situations for the rest of his life. Is it feasible? Unfortunately, no. At the very least, I would like to see preschool and elementary school nut free. I have read on numerous boards that schools would like the children to be able to identify if a snack could be dangerous, ie contains nuts or has been processed on equipment that processes nuts. There are so many problems with that on so many levels it's baffling. First - how many 4 year olds do you know that can read food labels, or for that matter, that can read? Second - while it is now required that nuts be listed on a label, it is not required to list if it is processed on the same equipment or in a facility that processes other nuts - this requires extensive research on a parents part. A great example is Sunmaid raisins - these are a cross contaminated product that is not labeled as so, yet those with nut allergies would not know unless they have done the research or they had a reaction. Third - teach your children what it is they can eat. Sounds easy enough, right? Things change on a daily basis though. Again, its constant, dilligent research and quite frankly, prayers. Parents and adults who suffer from nut allergies can tell you about favorite products that are now off limits. Not to mention that some products are safe, but only in certain size packages. I don't know at this point what I would ask my son's junior or senior high school at this point to do for him. I hope at that point he will be able to identify the allergens himself and we can discuss what food items may be off limits due to contamination. I would love to have "nut free tables" for him to eat at just to make a little safer. I don't know what to do when it comes to college - again, hoping I taught him enough to keep himself safe. The same goes for work. Though it's funny that posters continue to bring that up. I worked for a relatively small office, a Jewish temple actually, that hired a new employee with several life threatening food allergies. We had no problems accomodating her requests. Nor did I have problems as a Christian not eating pork or shellfish at the office, as well as other restrictions during certain holidays. Either way, it was very small part of my day. For these parents who keep complaining about how inconvenienced you are because one child has a food allergy - think of what we go through on a daily basis. I am constantly checking labels, calling companies and spending time on boards with others who are in my same situation for updated information about products. Traveling is a nightmare that I have yet to be brave enough to tackle. It would involve calling ahead to several hotels and restaurants, checking menus and ingredients and rechecking upon arrival. At this point, if we are to go anywhere, it would have to be by car, because very few airlines can guarantee my child's safety. They are too busy trying to cater to closeminded people such as yourself.

Kennesaw, GA

Jack DePalma

Peanut Free

One word: EDUCATION This is what we need to preach, and be extremely tough about it. There is no room for error, and everyone in our children's lives needs to be aware of this and take every precaution!

Portland, Maine USA

Jared

Education

Agreed, education is the key!

Florida

Gabbi Reese

Thank you!

Wow, I just found out my son (age 3) was allergic to peanuts. He had a small bite of a cookie that caused a reaction. I just found this web site today. Thank you to all of you for all your contributions here. This web site has become a valuable resource for me. Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge and experience and opinions. I truly value all of you. Gab-

Missouri, USA

Debbie

Food Allergy - Peanut Ban

I think it will be very hard to actually implement a "peanut free" lunch room or school. Who will read all the ingredients in foods that children bring in their lunch? Who will make sure that all children that may have had peanuts at home have washed their hands? My son is allergic to peanuts, all dairy and eggs. If a school were to ban peanuts then would they also ban cheese, icecream, etc. To add to this, my son is in middle school and last year another student dropped grated cheese in his orange drink. Thankfully, he turned around and saw what she was doing and didn't drink anything more. Other children saw this and I have to believe would have told him what she had done before he would have taken another sip. Another time kids taunted him about dropping milk on his food so they could watch him "spaz out". He was scared to leave his food or turn away because of this. We never had a problem with this type of bulling until middle school. At what grade level would the ban stop? Personally, I worry more now then when he was younger. His teachers in grade shool were always very helpful and we never had an accident of any kind. He always had to bring his lunch and never ate a school lunch. He could never have any snacks that other people brought for birthday. It's a way of life for him and he is used to it. He looks out for himself but I know how easy an accident can happen. Accidents can happen at home, school or anywhere for that matter. I do think education is the key and I think the upper grade levels need to be included and maybe implement food allergies into their bulling programs. My post may upset some, but I just don't believe that anywhere can be truly peanut free when there is food from many different sources and in a public place.

Georgia

Cindy

Attention: Debbie

You have every right to voice your opinion. My son experienced similar issues in middle school. In a perfect world, others would be more understanding. Some kids are just downright cruel! They lack sensivitiy when something does not apply to them.

North Carolina

Fiona's Mom

Death by Anaphylaxis

Parent's say that banning peanuts is too extreme ... until it is their child's life that is jeopardized. Even with "peanut free" zones, a door knob, a basketball or a slide that is touched with sticky peanut buttery hands can become lethal to the allergy sufferer. The follow up to the solution should be mandatory handwashing by all students - not just hand-sanitizer (which kills bacteria, not peanut protein). My daughter had a reaction today in her peanut free preschool - one of the children had peanut products that morning and touched her. It doesn't take much, and the younger the child the more dangerous the situation is. My four-year-old is too small to administer her epi-pen jr. to herself or realize when this needs to be done. Also the teachers delay in responding hoping that it will go away and afraid they are over-reacting. We have special schools for autistic, handicapped, death and a whole range of physical and mental disorders. Does protecting human life from death by anaphylactic not warrant the same precautions and interventions of other disorders?

Utah

Krista

To Fiona's Mom

Having a child myself who has gone into a anaphylactic shock, I truly feel your pain. It is definately a wake up call!

New York

Arizona

Fiona

I hope your daughter is doing well. Hopefully there will not be too many day's like this for you again. To those of you who have been negative here, I wonder if you have ever seen a child go through anaphylactic shock?

Peter Mongolli

Rebecca

People like Kirsten

My child has just gone through one of the scariest peanut reactions yet. Her school is peanut free but that doesn't matter. Someone had peanuts before coming to school and touched her. After fearing for my daughters life and seeing her nose swell up with a look of horror in her eyes, I have been doing as much research as I can and came across this website. Reading that there are people like Kirsten in this world who are so worried about their children getting to eat peanut butter 24/7 that they disregard the life of a child, gives me little hope. This is a LIFE or DEATH situation. Yes, she's right the world is not an accomodating place, therefore, because we live in an era where peanut deaths are on the rise we can't have the accomodations of eating peanuts when ever or where ever we want. Have a heart and deal with it by helping to save lives. I could never comprehend how students at a nearby school could be so inhumane as to chase a child with a peanut allergy around the play ground with a peanut butter sandwhich, but now I know....they have parents like Kirsten. Who cares about being able to eat peanuts when we can care for others and make sure they stay alive. And...by the way, home schooling children is a great idea when you are only concerned about education. However, I am concerned about education for my daughter as well as social skills (dealing with others around her in a caring manner even if they are different.)

Arizona

Cindy Peters

Make it safe

I agree with Rebecca. We, as parents, are here to make it safe for ALL children. It is a team effort, no matter what the cause. We should all accommodate each other, because you never know when the shoe will be on the other foot, where people like Kirsten will need our help!

Florida

Kristin

Why them?

What I fail to understand is why it has become the school board and lunchroom supervisors job to monitor other peoples diets. If it is our childrens lives at stake shouldn't all us parents be more active in regulating their exposure to peanuts/nuts/other allergins. It can't always be someone elses responsibility. Let's take some responsibility for ourselves.

Ontario

Samuel

Think about it Kristen.....

Why Kristen?.....because the parents can't monitor what goes on in the schools.

Canada

Kristin

I disagree

But the point is that no one else can either. If I believe my childs life in is jeopardy then I am more active in protecting her. Everyone should look after their own childs needs, granted I think protective policies in the school are helpful, but certainly not the only measures that should be taken when you're talking about your childrens life! "the parents can't monitor what goes on in the schools"? Shouldn't we make it our job to do so for our childrens well being?

Ontario

Carlos

You cannot monitor everything

Kristen, you cannot monitor what you cannot see, and I have learned the hard way the schools need to assume a large responsibility. I understand your point, but you are wrong. Sorry.

New Mexico

Allison

Peanut free lunchrooms

The schools have to be completely peanut free. If kids don't wash their hands well or at all there is possibility of contamination elsewhere throughout the school.

Washington, St.

Bob

Taking responsibility for your own!!

I agree with Kristin. As I have stated at what point do we draw the line...at what age will my child be allowed to eat peanut butter at school, if ever, and with his luck he'd end up working at the same facility/company as your kid and not be allowed to eat it their either probably. EDUCATE your own children...take the responsibility...work with the boards of education to find a the safest comprimise that allows my child the freedom to eat what he wants too. Like I said before perhaps we should ban sugar too for the type 1 diabetics that are often discovered in the primary grades cause god knows kids love candy and suger and that could be fatal to a child with DM. Perhaps it should be standard issue to have bubble suits handed out at school because my child might like to have peanut butter on his toast once in a while for breakfast and may not get all the residue off. Perhaps we should shut down restaurants that cook with peanut oil just in case your family walks down the sidewalk and the airbourne particles diffuse out into the streets. In the States you have the right to "bear arms" and that doesn't seem to bother a lot of you down there...but peanut butter, that's a different story, there's something to get your arms up in the air about.

North of Oshawa

V Kincaid

Peanut free

Peanut free means peanut free. Not all children are allergic only by ingestion. We have proof of our child's allergy medically and we have seen it. She is 3 and has NEVER ingested a peanut product. I've been reading a lot of forums and people with no dealings with severe food allergies need to educate themselves. Reactions can be different with each exposure. We would like to keep our daughter alive when she goes to school. Possible contact with peanut or tree nut products at school just isn't worth her life. A peanut free table, bench or even separate room couldn't be an option for our child and many others. If a child consumes his yummy peanutty lunch and then vomits in the hall on the way to class - oops!? I don't think so. Suppose a child has peanut butter under his/her nails and accidentally scratches a peanut allergic child. Peanut/tree nut free means peanut free. I am just beginning my "fight" with our local school system. I hope I win or I'll have to home school - a sad life for an otherwise healthy little girl who desperately wants to go to school like her brothers. There are so many things we already have to say no to.

Virginia

Susan

child with eating problem at peanut free school.

My child's school just sent home a letter that a new child is peanut allergic and we are now peanut free. My heart goes out to this child, and I totally understand the precaution needed. Life or death is just that. My problem is that my son is such a problem eater. He only eats a handful of things. The healthiest is peanut butter and jelly. When I say a handful of things, I mean it. And if you think you can make a child like this eat whatever you wish for them to eat, try again. I have tried EVERYTHING. Even appetite stimulants which his doctor prescribed, but he could detect in everything, even soda! He is less then the fifth percentile in his weight for his age. Skin and bones, and everyone comments on it, where he is now annoyed by it. He's in third grade. He will eat three other things on the hot menu at school. Grilled cheese, offered only twice a month, french toast sticks, offered once a month, and pizza offered once a week, and one kind offered is spicy he says, so he won't eat it on those weeks. I am in a situation here because now my son will not have anything to eat. Plain bread I guess? How healthy is that? And/or appetizing. No, just jelly won't fly. Cereal, but how?If he does not eat at lunch, or just eats pretzels, he will be hungry all afternoon. He is definitely hungry by lunch. He will not be learning well due to his hunger. I'm trying to figure what I can do. I could make a grilled cheese or pizza at home and bring it myself, but what about work? I pay tuition, and was actually hoping for my sons to bring their own lunch to save money this year. But he does not eat meat, at all, no noodles either. I cannot fight with him over food. According to the experts, and his doctor, that is the worst thing to do and could create worse problems down the road. I just wanted to bring another scenario into light. It may not be that people just want their children to eat peanut butter for lunch because they feel they have a right to, or that the kids are just spoiled and want it cause they like it, it may be ALL they eat...I truly don't know what I am going to do. I'm thinking the school may have to accomodate my child too and cook something he WILL eat, so he won't go hungry. My older son is picky as well, but will eat more then my youngest, but he has complained of the quality of our school lunches as of last year. He said they are terrible. So most of last year he ate peanut butter and jelly. I just know now it will be a hot dog every day for him, and that upsets me as well, because now he will be eating those cancer causing nitrates on a daily basis. So you see, there is always the other side of the coin. Not everyone is upset about a peanut ban just because it is an inconvenience. I too worry about my children's health, although it is more of a longterm health worry. So I do see the peanut allergy parent's fears. So what can be done to accomodate everyone with needs?

Pennsylvania

Susan

just another thought

I was reading on peanut allergies to find out more about it, and I was shocked to read that a mother feeding peanuts to her child too early(before three), or ingesting too many peanuts while pregnant, could cause the allergy. I don't remember the doctor's ever telling me any of this when I was pregnant. Perhaps that is a good cause to get involved in. Why not get this message out there to pregnant and new mothers? I never knew this, thank God my children don't have the allergies. I am going to tell my friend who just had a baby. I did know about honey, and not giving a child that, before age 1 or something. If we get this message out there about possible early prevention, maybe the peanut allergy will drop in statistics in the future. If anyone wants a "fight" or a good cause, concentrate on that maybe.

Pennsylvania

Nicole

Peanut FREE!

I don't know truly how to go about saying all that I have on my mind right now but I have heard the comversations between parents with obviously non-allergic children. Things like... "Is it true I can't send a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Suzy*,?" One parent asked while I was in the office, the administrator politly said, "We are discouraging you to do so, see for some children even the smell of peanuts can cause them to have an allegic reaction! And this is what the mother of Suzy* said, "I've heard that and that concerns me, but, Suzy* just loves peanut butter and Jelly! I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and say well my son Dylan who is allegic to peanut butter likes to be able to breath but I can't ask him to do that only at home, I can however ask that for my sons safty that you please allow suzy to keep her peanut butter at home! All though it may be a bit of an inconvience. I understand that I do! I believe that Dylan along with all the other children in this school who are allegic to peanuts or anything else for that matter have the right to a safe school environment away from anything that may bring them harm and in this case DEATH!!!! That is the part that has me soo up in arms! PEANUTS CAN KILL MY SON! Now my problem with that is anyone who brings in peanut butter has a weapon that could killed my son in less than 3 minutes! I would think that weapons are illegal at school!

Arizona

Lou Placema

Are you kidding me Bob?

First, your analogy is ridiculous. You cannot compare a diabetic child to peanut allergic child. There are no problems with cross contamination issues with diabetes, so you are way off. Second, when you say educate your children, do you mean a child in pre-school should fend for him/herself without the help of the teacher when others are eating peanut products? That must be a very smart 3 year old! On a side note, I have dealt with diabetes for many years with a loved one in my house, and not even concerned what people eat around him, but I am concerned with foods that may contain peanuts!

New York City, NY

Debbie

Peanut Free

This is such a hard subject for me. I have a previous posting on this site. I am touched by all the of these families with stories of thier children and what they face. My son, is allergic to all dairy, eggs, peanuts, and shellfish. He is in Middle School and now I have new concerns. He is now having more of a "social life" away from his parents. This issue is so important to all these allergic children and adults. I do see both sides and I love my son as much as any other parent loves their child. What is the moral, correct and best thing for these children? I am not sure. So far my son does not react to the just being around peanuts but I know that could change. He has reacted to exposure on the skin by milk and eggs as well of course as actually eating them. He is highly allergic to all these foods but I didn't keep him out of preschool or public school. He is a great kid, awesome athlete, and has a good head on his shoulders. It is tougher now as he is getting older. I do worry about him but I also know he has to learn to get along everywhere and look after himself to stay safe. The schools he has attended do serve peanut products and dairy, along with foods containing egg. I guess, with him being allergic to all of these foods, I could not ask the schools to take all of these foods out. I do however, understand the children that have the allergic reaction to just breathing the peanut allergen. I am torn with this subject. It is now up for discussion at our church. I wish I knew the answer that would help us all. Pray, keep a careful watch and make sure that anyone that is responsible for our allergic children are well informed of what can happen and what to do if something happens.

Georgia

Violet

To Susan in PA and Debbie in GA

I have the 3 year old with peanut (airborne, touch don't know about ingestion) allergy. She also has many other food allergies only by ingestion, as far as we know. To Susan- have you tried Soynut butter or Sun butter (from sunflower seeds)? My boys eat Soynut butter, they were big PB&J fans. We haven't tried Sun butter yet, but the allergist says it's much moister and smoother than soynut butter - which is not bad. To Debbie in Ga- It's got to be scary as they get older. My daughter at 3 is so sweet and so smart about her allergies. She's very aware of what is "poisonous" to her. I pray your son can keep himself safe and maybe help educate the people that surround him in his social life to make smart choices around him.

Virginia

Susan

To Violet in Virgina

Thanks, Violet(pretty name) for the advice about the soy butter, I'll have to look that up. He is such a bugger with foods it is terrible. A nightmare to cook for, really. We did try soy milk a long time ago which he detested, so I hope the soy butter still tastes peanutty. He had major constipation issues when he was younger, was on Miralax daily, because of his diet, and so I did try the soy milk to try and get some nutrition in him! He wouldn't even eat that Pediacare stuff, I forget the name, but it is for kids who don't eat right. I tried nutrition shakes, they even make them for kids, but he hated them all... I'll try anything, so the soy butter is worth a shot. Where would you find that? A specialty, or nutrition store? Good luck with your daughter and her allergies. Poor kid, so not fair. My son, the picky eater, has a boy in his class that is allergic to eggs, and wheat I think. He was always very smart as well as to what he can and cannot have. Even reading the ingredients in first grade. They do learn quickly, don't they? Thanks again.

Pennsylvania

Chrissie

Susan

To Susan in PA. You can find soy nut butter in just about every supermarket now. Giant,Whole Foods,Genuardi's,Trader Joe's. I am the mother of a son with a severe allergy to peanut's, airborne,touching it and ingesting it. We as parents of these highly allergic children need to realize that parents with children who don't have this life threatning allergy don't care, their children do but not them. Is it detrimental that non allergic children need to eat peanut butter? No! Our children have options.So wake up people and stop being so selfish. Let's get our schools peanut free!

Pennsylvania

Susan

Chrissie

Thanks for the info about the location of soy. Can I just give some advice? You won't get anywhere insulting parents of non allergy children. You are totally stereotyping everyone as a whole. That's ignorant to the parents who understand. Yes, believe it or not, there can be nice parents of "non allergic" children. You just said that parents of allergy free kids don't care. In otherwords, you're calling everyone else jerks. Sometimes fear and frustration make us angry. I get that too. And yes, I'm sure there ARE jerks out there worried about their "rights" getting taken away or something like that. Unfortunately a peanut free school does pose a problem for me. If you did read my previous post, that is pretty much the only thing my child will eat. He will eat other options they offer, grilled cheese,pizza, and french toast stix, but they only offer them 7 days out of an entire month. The rest he eats pb&j. I cannot tell you what I have gone through trying to get my son to eat other foods. I can just hear you saying it must be my fault or I cater to him...Unfortunately you wouldn't understand unless you walked in my shoes. It is no walk on the beach let me tell you. I would love it if he ate other foods offered at the school. He does not eat meat or vegetables,noodles, and fruit, only in applesauce. If he did not have a pb&j he would just eat bread(maybe), and probably get sick of that and not eat, OR just pretzels. Would you want your child not to eat lunch at school? To me, it isn't as if we're being insensitive, or inconvenienced. It's a real issue for our son. He IS that picky and has a real aversion to foods. It's awful. We were advised NOT to force foods on him, not that I could anyway. Fighting over meals and creating trauma over food will cause greater problems in the future. Just think about my situation. What would you do in my shoes? We may be looking at having to transfer schools. I have to take him away from his close friends. It's a small school. We pay tuition and for him to go hungry and not pay attention in class is a waste of money. It would break my heart to know he's hungry every day. Don't forget I love him too. I mean the other options would be that I have to run food to him at lunch that I make at home, or have the school make something special just for him everyday. Because if I'm working, I won't be able to run to the school with food for him. Ugh.

Pennsylvania

Violet

to Susan

As a PA mom- I felt Chrissie was a little harsh about stereotyping. I, however, am just beginning my battle with schools, etc. I felt that you were just asking for suggestions - what do WE do?. My two sons LOVE pb&j and gave it up at 5 and 8. They are wonderful children, very protective. FYI soynut butter is not as tasty as PB. Don't put it on too thick. If you can find Sun butter the allergist says it more resembles the texture (moistness/creaminess) of PB. It is hard to be creative with kids school lunches. Cafeteria food is NOT something my boys will eat. I think I catered too much too. Oh well. :) I had a conversation today with the big boss. Her son's private school is nut free. She was not very understanding until I explained my daughter's situation - it isn't ingestion. She has never EATEN nut products - and hopefully never will. She advised instead of going to the public school look for a private school, that they may be more willing to accomodate our special needs.

Virginia

Tammy

Peanuts

As a mother of a child with a severe peanut allergy, I believe that no peanut products should be allowed in the schools. I do not believe that sacrificing peanut products can in any way be balanced against the risk to even one life that peanuts/peanuts butter/ peanut oil/etc. may present. This is particularly so given the failure of schools to provide general education on the potential severity of food allergies and the associated reactions.

New York, NY

Chrissie

Susan

I didn't want to come off so harsh but I guess we as a whole need to understand each others problems and maybe try to deal with them together. Like we always say Education is the key but everyone needs to be on the same page. Sorry if I insulted anyone.

Pennsylvania

DIANE

WHAT NEXT?

THIS IS WHAT DRIVES ME CRAZY ABOUT LIBERALS....HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE WORLD FOR ONE PERSON. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT CAN AND SHOULD ACCOMODATE "SPECIAL" NEEDS AND YOU, AS A PARENT SHOULD SEE THAT IF YOU CHILD'S LIFE IS IN DANGER -- WELL, IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUSLY A "SPECIAL NEED"....GET OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM, YOU ARE HOLDING UP PROGRESS WITH YOUR DEMANDS. WE HAVE ONE KID IN A SCHOOL OF 500 WITH AN ALLERGY, AND, ALTHOUGH I AGREE IT IS SEVERE -- THE PARENTS SHOULD RECOGNIZE THIS AND NOT PUT THE FATE OF THEIR CHILD'S HANDS INTO THE SCHOOL TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE COMPLIES -- LUDICRIS!!!

DALLAS

Nellie

Someone that is Sane

Diane is right -- time to put your "special need" child where they belong -- in a safe environment that can accomodate. If it were me, I wouldn't trust a room full of kids to be able to accomidate this. Hey, guess what, I am alergic to eggs, but the school would have to ban almost everything you have ever eaten in your life -- no, I probably won't die on the spot, but I can get pretty sick. I would never dream of asking everyone at the table to order something else just for me....PC is the worst invention this centure.

Washington

Burt

Nellie and Diane

You know Nellie and Diane, I knew someone like you who thought so selfishly. Boy, did his viewpoint change after he found out his son was allergic to peanuts, then almost died at school at the carelessness of an unsupervised child who thought it was funny to stick a peanut butter sandwich in the face of the allergic child. My friend used to think that the whole school should not suffer at the hands of one child, but now he knows better. Out of curiosity, do you have children with the allergy?

Oklahoma

Peter

Nellie

If you are basing your thoughts alone on egg allergies compared to peanut allergies, no wonder why your post makes absolutely no sense. I can't be too sensitive to your allergy after the ignorant comment you wrote.

Maine

Salley

To Diane

Diane-I am a conservative and I don't appreciate the negative and insensitive comments you wrote. Are you or any children in your home allergic to nut products? I am curious to know. I don't want to change the whole world, just make it safe for all children. What's next, we should let children in school with chicken pox as long as they don't sit next to anyone, no other children will catch it?

Michigan

Robin

PEANUT FREE!

I am a student at a small South Dakota High School, and I have a severe Peanut Allergy. To me, peanut free is suggesting a 100% safe zone in which there would be no trace of peanuts, or peanut products found. I know from experience that it is possible to have a reaction from the smell of certain peanut product, the worst for me being peanut butter. Therefore, I think it is only SAFE and FAIR to keep certain areas, ESPECIALLY SCHOOLS, COMPLETELY PEANUT FREE!

South Dakota

Bo

Go to a Special School

All of this is a fiegned approach that you are concerned about the health of your child. If you were really concerned you would send your child to a school that can accomidate his special need. It's stupid to make everyone adjust their lives b/c you could get sick.....sorry this happened to you, but get out of the main stream. Obviously we have established that it isn't safe for you no matter how many percautions are taken. The Chicken Pox analagy has to be the stupidest....Chicken Pox caused an epedimic, thousands and thousands of children died; We are talkig about 200 kids in an entire year. Yeah, it happened at school, so maybe they shouldn't be at school. I hardly think one kid in 5000 is going to be any kind of an epedimic. Who really is the selfish one? Live in a bubble, then you will be safe --- Does anyone realize that there are literally hundred of products out there that have a trace amount of peanuts? Yep, that's right, little johnny isn't safe anywhere. Here is another one for you. I don't have an allergy nor do my kids, but if they did I would never allow the safety of a shool and other children be the monitor. This is not the public's problem. I like the comment about having to eat peanuts at home. You are making it like it is a public disease and it's not. Hey, guess what? This weekend more people will die of cancer than died in 911. Now that is a cause it get behind. How about contacting all the food producers and force them to leave out chemicals and additives that are known to cause cancer. You consume vast amounts of these products on a daily basis. Get out of your selfish rut and take a look around. Everyone is sick of your chirping. Take responsibility for your self and stop making everyone else responsible for it -- good God!!!

Texas

ANYONE

Oh, Come on!!!

I have a kid that loves Peanut Butter. We tried the Soy products and wasted about $50 to figure out that he both hated it and it caused severe constipation. Poor kid was in the bathroom half the school day trying to pass his stools. That was a nice waste of his day. I spend hours now in the grocery story trying to find something he will eat and something safe for school. A huge time suck! It is completely ridiculous for us to take on the complexities of someone else's health and children. Why don't these parents take their "spcial" children to a place where they will be safe? Have you noticed the peanut free alternatives? All of them high in cholesteral, high in fat, high in refined sugar, flour, etc. Cheese sandwiches, chicken nugets, pizza -- hello obesity!! I'll bet these poor children that have nut alergies stay unhealthy and unfit b/c they can't choose healthy snacks. The ones that aren't peanut free are bad for you. Everyone knows that chips cooked in peanut oil are better for you than the ones cooked in other ways. Also, most healthy snacks that I've found have trace amounts of nuts in them. My son loves these type of snacks b/c they are high in protien and good for him. You can't give a boy that is growing snacks that don't pack a protien punch. They wind up underweight skinny and unproductive for the rest of the day. Their blood sugars drop dramatically when given a non-protien snack. Even if you give them dairy snacks like cheese (ooops, forgot, we have dairy allergy children too. Oh yeah, they haven't put these silly demands on us yet, so we are cool, we can send dairy thanks God) except, oops, now my child is in danger of developing heart disease. Why can't everyone just take responsibility for themselves. This is not a sensitivity or a PC issue. We are a society that wants everyone else to be responsible for everything that goes wrong with us and there is a lawsuit around every corner. I think the lawyers would have a heyday with a school that said it was peanut free and a parent inadvertantly sent something with peanuts and the one chance in 20,000 kids happened to get ahold of it and got sick. Or better yet, a parent sued a school b/c it is prohibits their child from getting the nutrition is needs.

All over America

Deborah

Yes, It's your responsibility!!

A recent study showed that in spite of best efforts at avoidance, children are likely to have an accidental ingestion of the food to which they are allergic. Other studies have shown that allergic reactions can occur from skin contact as well as ingestion and inhalation and those reactions commonly occur outside the cafeteria. It would, therefore, be prudent for school staff to review lesson plans and other potential sources of allergic reactions. A written allergy emergency action plan, signed by the child's physician, should be in place for all at-risk students to ensure quick treatment of an allergic reaction. Following are some points to consider and some examples of situations that caused allergic reactions. Share the Information Reactions can occur in the classroom as well as the cafeteria and on the playground. Be sure that teachers and food service staff can recognize the children at risk for having an allergic reaction and know what they should do if a reaction occurs. With the parents' permission, a copy of the treatment plan and a photo of the child should be provided to these key staff members. As the following story shows, food service staff can work in partnership with the school nurse to avoid potential risks. "Our son Ethan, is allergic to peanuts and is now a 7th grader. We are delighted with the responsibility he has shown, but each new year brings more independence and more food allergy situations. "Our school system now provides snacks before state tests, to boost student scores. The school nurse advised us that some of the snacks would contain peanuts or peanut butter. She met with the principal to develop a plan to feed the students and keep Ethan safe. They coordinated with the food service manager so another school would swap our peanut snacks with their non-peanut snacks. I would like to thank the school nurse for alerting us to this situation and our principal for developing a plan that did not embarrass or isolate my son." Keep Plans Individualized Some children have severe allergic reactions to the smallest amount of the allergen, others have only minor skin irritations. Work with the parents to customize the health care plan for each student. One parent wrote, "Because a student in our community died of a reaction, the school is developing stringent new policies regarding food-allergic students. Our son has been at this school for the past two years and has eaten with his class safely. The nurse is requiring him to sit at a peanut-free table at lunch and he has been separated from his friends. I have taught him how to manage his allergies and want him to live in the 'real world.'" Letters Home Some schools send letters home to the parents of classmates of food-allergic students requesting that they avoid sending in peanut- or nut-containing products. In an attempt to help parents, several schools provide lists of "safe" snacks. This can be risky business. Ingredients can change without warning. If you don't update your list or if the parent doesn't replace the outdated list, the allergic student can be put at risk for an allergic reaction. Additionally, some letters are very broad and ask parents to "please check all labels for hidden ingredients." This puts an added burden on other parents and sometimes causes resentment. Additionally, if they don't take the time to learn the synonyms for foods such as "milk" or "peanuts," they won't know how to recognize "hidden ingredients." In one school in Connecticut, a young peanut-allergic boy spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit after eating a cupcake at a class celebration that he thought would be safe. It turns out the mother who baked the goodies did not carefully read the ingredient labels. The safest policy is to have the allergic student eat only the snacks and goodies that are brought in from home. In some cases, the student's parents prefer to be responsible for purchasing snacks for the entire class, thereby ensuring the safety of all foods. If the student is participating in the lunch program, ask the parents to read the ingredient labels to determine which foods are "safe." Field Trips More and more museums are using creative supplies for their hands-on exhibits. Be sure to call ahead and inquire about such policies. Rethink field trips to avoid the following situation. "As the class walked into the museum, there were signs prominently posted that there were crushed walnut shells in the fossil dig exhibit. The walnut-allergic student stayed with the chaperone while the other children played in the exhibit. However, within minutes her eyes started itching, tearing, and swelling, and she also started coughing. On the way home in the van with the students who had been playing in the walnut shells, her eyes swelled shut and she began wheezing." Lunch Time More and more schools are designating certain tables in the cafeteria as milk-free or peanut-free tables. The allergic students enjoy sitting with their friends who have "safe" lunches. To make this process easier, one teacher hung a magnetic board with a line drawn down the middle. One side for peanut lunches, the other for non-peanut lunches. Magnets with the children's names were stuck to the board. As students arrived, they moved their magnet to the appropriate side. When only one child has lunch with peanuts in it, the class is divided in half anyway, so no one feels isolated. Cleaning Methods Unfortunately, no scientific studies have been done to evaluate cleaning practices or methods in the removal of food proteins. In our experience, warm soapy water appears to be an excellent method of safely cleaning cafeteria tables, desks, utensils, etc., just as this method is successful when used in homes where the allergenic food is served. It seems that removal of the food from the surface should be the main goal, and any "wet" cleaner together with a little "elbow grease" in wiping, should suffice. "Waterless" cleaners or "instant hand sanitizers" that do not include a "wet-wash/wipe" step would not be adequate. A number of schools use a chlorine solution; the superiority of this method has not been studied in this setting. However, we have not received any reports of reactions after this method of cleaning was used. The more important point is to use a fresh cloth or paper towels when cleaning the allergic child's table to avoid cross contact from a sponge or cloth that was used to clean allergen-containing tabletops. Finally, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology position paper, "Anaphylaxis in Schools and Other Childcare Settings," states, "Hand washing after food handling should be encouraged in day care and preschool settings, as well as in lower schools." Once again, soap and warm water should be sufficient.

DALLAS

alone

wish I had kept it to myself

I'm a student with a peanut allergy and I wish I had just kept it to myself. My parents lobbied to get the school (public) to go peanut free and that's were the trouble began. I was called pee pee head, peanut brain, etc. I really wish we never said anything. They removed all the snacks from the cafeteria. This after all the students lobbied the prior year to get healthy snacks put into the vending machines. Things like power bars, peanut butter and crackers, etc. Families threatend to sue the school. It was awful. One family has a daughter with a strawberry allergy and is so alergic that even something that is artificilly flavord can cause her to have a reaction. They said that if we are banning peanuts, we should also ban strawberry products, razberry, etc. I eventually changed schools b/c the preasure was so over the top. Everyone blammed me for ruinning the baseball games, dances (no snacks allowed and we used to have cake), etc. Now I know that I need to take care of myself. B/c the real lesson learned is that, no place is a safe zone for a kid with an allergy and to make it a safe zone only multiplies your chances to let your guard down and that's when it happens. Only my close friends and their families know at my new school and I have to say that I am much happier not putting my illness onto anyone's else's shoulders. Odly, the vegans were the most violent. They derive most of their nutrition from nuts and I was taking that away from them. They don't eat any meat -- red, white, fish, dairy, eggs -- so It was a real handicap for them. Plus, there actually were more vegans in the school than kids with allergies, so it was a loosing battle. The lawsuits were started by the families that felt their rights and the rights of the majority were taken away. You can not forbid someone to eat a food that is a healthy part of their diet. I cringe everytime I think about it now b/c I never could concentrate on my studies b/c the kids were so mad at me. The bottom line is, the ones with the allergies should burden the responsibility, not the public.

texas

Violet

yes it IS our responsibility

People get so defensive and argumentative. Just relax, this is a battle that may not be won. If schools will work with nut(or whatever) allergy families, it's wonderful for our kids. Remember some of us have other children with no allergies too. It IS a challenge to find safe things that your children will eat. If my personal battle for my "special needs" peanut, etc. allergic child can not be won with public or private school, I would, by ALL means, home school her to keep her safe. Like I said, ingestion isn't our issue, it is a concern. My daughter is 3 and very aware of "poison" - doesn't she deserve the experience of a classroom setting with friends? Five meals a week without pb&j really won't kill anyone, my sons are living proof. She was diagnosed 2 years ago. We manage. No one is saying ALL schools have to be peanut free. But a lot of public schools receive funding for "special needs" children - to most of us this means physically or mentally handicapped, our allergic children fall under that, too. Not all schools participate in this program. Even the ones that do may not understand the reality of our situations. All allergies are different. Go out to eat and explain your child's allergies. The owners and chefs take it VERY seriously. I don't know what will come of my "battle". But I have to try for my daughter. As she gets a little older and can knowingly avoid foods or people eating them, maybe it's different. It's still kind of new to me.

Virginia

DeAnna

Ban?

Who would be so foolish as to expect parents of children that are not allergic to peanuts to be ABLE to prevent penuts being sent to a public school. Even those of us with food allergies can mearly attempt to avoid to affending food. You shouldn't feel that your child with a penut allergy is safe at school just becuase the school banned peanuts. Peanut free zones and personal accountability on behalf of the child and the parent are the best defense. Let the other kids eat their PB&J if they wish, what about the health nut mom who sautes her childs vegie burger in peanut oil?

Texas

jen

I AGREE, BUT IS IT POSSIBLE

PEANUT FREE MEANS JUST WHAT IT SAYS. EVERYONE HAD THEIR OWN OPINION AND EVERONE HAS THE RIGHT TO STATE IT, BUT HERE IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT, EVERY CHILD HAS A SPEACIAL NEED ONE WAY OR OTHER. HAVING A CHILD WITH NUT ALLERGIES IS NOT EASY FOR ANYONE. YOUR WORLD GET TURNED AROUND AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT OR STOP IT. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS EDUCATE THE CHILD WITH THE ALLERGIES AND HOPE TO EDUCATE THOSE AROUND THEM. THERE IS NO SUCH THING A A PEANUT FREE WORLD, BUT WHY NOT GIVE THE CHANCE FOR A PEANUT FREE LUNCHROOM OR SCHOOL SO THAT THOSE WITH ALLERGIES MIGHT BE ABLE TO LIVE A HALF-NORMAL CHILDHOOD SCHOOL YEAR. IS IT FAIR TO JUDGE THE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS FOR WANTING THE BEST FOR THEIR CHILD. AND JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE SIGN OR SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT THIS IS A PEANUT FREE ZONE, YOU NEVER LET YOUR GRAUD DOWN. BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS THAT ONE, THAT WILL BREAK THE RULES.

CALIFORINA

Dr. D

I work in a school

Okay, first of all, let's all remember children visit this valuable web site, so let's be careful how we phrase things. I am a principal in an elementary school. I was against a peanut free school until last year. I designated peanut free tables. I found out the hard way, that may have not been the answer. I had a first grader go into anaphylactic shock. The nurse stated the only way this happened was due to the peanut dust being airborne. No child was near him with any peanut products. I first hand witnessed this young trying his best just to breathe. In all my years in education, this was my scariest moment. This year, we are implementing a new system. We are lucky enough that our lunchroom has a middle dividing door. At lunch, we are going to close this door. One side will be peanut free, the other, the students can eat whatever they want. I used to think how silly it was to create a peanut free school, now I think differently. To all of you who have been against a peanut free environment, you may change your tone after you witness a child going through an anaphylactic reaction. As I said, I learned the hard way. I was ignorant in my thinking, and I am so thankful the child is okay. The parents of the child have been so cooperative and supportive. They did not blame the school, although they did request a peanut free lunchroom in a non pushy manner. They are happy with the new lunchroom procedure. Let's all do what is good for all the children. We need to make the schools safe for all children no matter what their issues. It has to be a team effort where we all help each other. Sorry for going on to long, but I am disgusted by some of the comments here.

California

John

SELFISH

I am shocked at all the selfish people here. So what, your child may not be able to eat peanut butter at school. No peanut products vs. a child dying? Wow, I am shocked. I wonder if your tone would change is the shoe was on the other foot?

UK

Shirley

What's Next - Milk Free?

I know of several children who suffer anaphalaxis if exposed to the smallest amount of milk product. So what's next peanut-free, milk-free, whey-free, cheese-free? The best defense is education for those that have severe allergies. My friends children have known since an early age to avoid any food items not provided by their parents and how to use a epipen. Let's bring back peanuts as an excellent source of protein to schools.

British Columbia

Stands with fist

What about our rights?

Selfish? I'll explain selfish. It's the hords of time I now take out of my day b/c you have burdened our entire world with your issue. Definition of selfish is to expect the entire school to look out for just you and forget about the needs of all those around. We are vegans and don't eat any type of meat. Dairy is also out, so where are we supposed to get our protien? Also, no soy product tasts that great and leaves us with NUTS -- wonderful source of nutrition and now we can't eat it. And for all of you that keep saying it's just one meal a day -- it's not. It is morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Nuts are one of nature's finest products. Containing more protien oz of oz than meat. It is also a complete source of protien. And let's not forget that I'm on a limited budget and I can get 25 servings from a $2.50 jar of peanut butter; but only 4 servings from a $6.00 bag of turkey product and or turkey from the deli (which we don't eat). Not to mention the spoilage issue with the accompaning products that go with this type of food, mayo, lettuce, tomatoe, mustard, etc. A good ole pb&j is a great meal in many regards!! Take your child were they will be safe. Homeschool them or have them attend a school that divides the lunchroom in half. PEANUT FREE SCHOOLS HAVE TAKEN AWAY OUR FREEDOM TO EAT WHAT WE NEED/WANT. A peanut free zone is a much wiser solution. There will be lawsuits from this from both sides. I can hear the lawyer's jingling their piggy banks now.

Texas

Jennifer

My son shouldn't be hidden behind closed doors!

Those with severe food allergies are covered under the Americans with disabilities act! I am trying to curb my anger at this point when I read some of these posts that say my child should be isolated from the rest of society. I keep having thoughts of people in power who wanted a "better race". My son has no known learning disabilities nor does he have a physical disabilty that can be seen by the naked eye such as crutches or a wheelchair. So why should he have to be enrolled in a special school that is designed to help those kids, not designed to deal with food allergies. I wish there was a school in our district that dealt with food allergies, but there isn't at this time. We are still considering home schooling but he is a social child - why should he be punished? It's hard enough dealing with food allergies - he will always be different from most people. Things like Trick or Treating or going to places without bringing his own food will probably never be an option for him. He needs to learn how to navigate in a world that has a lot of people against him. Not all people will have an issue, but as we see on this board alone, many will. I am asking for two things that might seem insane to people who have never seen their child at death's door - a nut free table at lunch and a nut free classroom. I'm willing to work with you even on the nut free classroom if you feel you cannot abide and have to have "that teacher," I am willing to concede and do my best to work by switching teachers (provided I can get a teacher that understands his allergies and is willing to have training in case his life is ever in jeopardy). You see it's not just parents, even some teachers can be unhelpful and that is their perogative. In turn my son will only eat food that is provided by me, learn to clean his own areas (desks, lunch tables and door handles) with special wipes to eliminate risk and even possibly wearing special gloves on the playground. I don't want to inconvenience anyone, I just want to keep my child safe. I don't think a day will go by when I won't dread hearing my phone ring when my son isn't with me. I just ask that you remember that!

Kennesaw, GA

Jennifer

Sunbutter vs. Soybutter

Before we had a peanut allergic son, my husband and I were avid peanut butter eaters. (See it's even hard on parents who have a peanut allergic child!) Anyway, he has had both soybutter and sunbutter - he said Sunbutter wins hands down for being the closest to a peanut butter consistency and taste. They also sell a crunchy version if you prefer.

Kennesaw, GA

Joel

Selfish

Yes, I agree with some here, that many are selfish here. Please don't compare the peanut allergy to other allergies. Remember, the peanut allergy can be transmitted if airborne. That is why it is different. Milk allergies are serious as well, and I also support any restrictions that would help the milk allergic child. Please don't come down on the peanut allergic child. They deserve to be in a safe environment. As the principal said earlier, he had a child go into shock due to peanut dust that was airborne. Try to be more sensitive here.

Georgia

Jennifer

Avoiding peanuts/tree nuts while pregnant

I apologize for posting so many comments in a row, but they are each seperate points that I didn't want to get lost in one post. I ate peanut butter while I was pregnant and breastfeeding - a lot of it. My ob gave me the go ahead because I couldn't tolerate other protein sources. I have friends who did the same, my parents and others did the same - yet none of them have children with peanut allergies. There are other parents of peanut allergic children that didn't have peanuts while pregnant. I did read that soy formula can increase the chances of peanut allergies. I started doing research about how foods have been genetically modified, like soy. As the parent of a child who is also allergic to soy, I know that it is in just about everything! The fact is, peanut allergies are on the rise. I mean, how many kids did you know growing up that had peanut allergies? I knew none, yet through various boards, I know there are a lot of people out there that have them now. I have my suspicions that soy is a culprit, but there is little definitive research out there to confirm my suspicions. So just by eliminating peanut products from a pregnant of breastfeeding woman's diet or waiting until a child is older to give them peanut butter won't necessarily guarantee that the child won't have peanut or nut allergies. Right now it's just guessing. I guess I just don't want anyone to look at the mother of a nut allergic child and say "You did this to them!"

Kennesaw, GA

Len Saunders

Language

Good day everyone. As the moderator of this forum, I just wanted to let you know I had to delete two messages posted here today due to improper language. Please remember, this web page was designed for both parent and child. The purpose of this forum is to educate visitors with your opinions, while not giving a definitive solution to the topic at hand. I feel it is important for both sides of the issue to understand the valuable concerns of others. My hopes that this forum will bring sides closer together, and not further apart. I truly appreciate all the contributions thus far, and hope you all continue to express your opinions in a respectful manner. If there is anything else you would like on this web site, please shoot me an email. I am in the process of adding new features here soon. Thanks. Len Saunders

New Jersey

Richard

Len Saunders

Len, Thank you for your voluntary service to this board as mediator!! Thank you also for, “I just wanted to let you know I had to delete two messages posted here today.. all due to improper language!!!” I’m sure everyone appreciates your integrity and that you have informed us about the delete postings. I do, however, have on question. Did you delete the postings based on the content or the message? In other words, did you delete the postings because the language contained four letter words, or because of their interpretation? “My hopes that this forum will bring sides closer together, and not further apart. I truly appreciate all the contributions thus far, and hope you all continue to express your opinions in a respectful manner.” If you censored due to profanity, I’m behind you 100%. If you censored due to conservative vs. liberal views, well let’s just say I think you were wrong. I’m positive that you judgment is much better than you grammar. I know, I can be a sarcastic SOB. Thank you again Richard

Pennsylvania

Len

Language

LOL....Richard, you got me to laugh after a lousy day. Yes, it was due to 4 letter words, actually one was a 5 letter word, referring to a female dog! I have never deleted a post due to an opinion. That would be wrong and defeat the purpose of this section. I have lost some posts due to an upgrade I did to the script used in this forum a while back. I was unable to retrieve them. I always enjoy your posts, so keep them coming. I think many have learned important material from you, even if you think it was sacastic!

New Jersey

Jewel

Thanks Len

Len, great points, and thank you for creating this web site. All the teachers at my son's school use it with their classes. They love the cute peanut games on the site.

Nevada

Max

Richard

Yes Richard, you are a sacastic SOB.....Just kidding. What was wrong with Len's grammar? BTW, I did see one of the posts before it was deleted. Was not kind. I visit this site frequently, although this is my first post. Len, if you need any help with the site (articles, photos), let me know. Sent you an email.

Uk

Len

Thank you Max

Thanks Max. I did get your email. Right now, I have everything under control, but will contact you if I need assistance. I run 8 different web sites, and 10 different forums, so yes, my grammar / spelling may be bad at times because I am always rushing along. Thanks again Max.

New Jersey

Joan Bradley

Oh Richard

Richard, how are the posts here conservative vs. liberal views? That is nonsense. The views here are just beliefs on making the environment safe and enjoyable for all children. There are no politics here!

W. Virginia

Richard

Len, Thank you!!

Len, Thank you for your reply!!!! I am thrilled to hear that you deleted the messages due to vulgarity and not because of content. If you and your family are ever in Northeastern PA, please let me know. My wife, son, and I would love to meet you and your family! As for the conservative vs. liberal comment, that is my pea brained view of the world. There is currently a great divide within this country, the democrats and the republicans. My belief is that this divide will continue to grow until it eclipses the great divide of the Civil War, North vs. South. This pea brained narrow minded view causes me to equate any significant difference in social issue opinion, i.e. peanut allergy, as a partisan divide. If you look at the line that separates opinions on any topic of significance, you will find a very partisan separation of opinions. Diversity in opinions; that is what makes this county great! I am very thankful that I live in a country that allows freedom of speech. “I run 8 different web sites, and 10 different forums.” Len, thank you for all that you do, and I apologize for my grammar comment. Richard

Pennsylvania

Len

PA

Richard, no need to apologize. I was in PA twice over the last 2 weeks, probably in your neck of the woods. Don't know when I will be back, but thank you for offer. Going to the liberal vs. conservative comment, is really is not pea brained. Unfortunately, the world has changed over the last decade, and you are entitled to express yourself. It is one's own form of verbal self defense. All the best.

New Jersey

Jessica

Attention Jennifer

Jennifer, I agree with you. Peanut Butter eating while pregnant did not cause this. And, the reason you did not hear about the peanut allergy many years ago was probably due to children just dying after exposure to it, and doctors not realizing what caused it.

Portland, Maine USA

Richard

Alone in Dallas

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Thank you for taking the time to post how you feel. As parents, we tend to believe that we know best. This belief system tends to cloud reality. “When I was 10 years old I had all the answers. When I was 20 years old, they changed all of the questions.” How quickly we forget what it was like, "Back in the day."

Pennsylvania

Jonas

Peanut Free

My son will be attending kindergarten this fall. After reading this forum, I have learned a lot, from all sides. What I plan now, is to form a committee with other parents and the principal to see what will work best in our lunchroom. I like what the principal (Dr. D) stated earlier. Dividing the lunchroom in half sounds good. I will post back here how it works out. My son will still be able to sit with friends who do not have any peanut products for lunch that day. Our new teacher already said she has no problem checking the lunches every morning to see what lunches are safe. Then, my son can sit with his friends that day (if they had no peanut products) if he'd like. The teacher has promised me he will never feel isolated, and that's good enough for me.

Texas

Violet

to the vegan parent

I respect your decision to be a vegan. My sister was a strict vegetarian when I was growing up - though she did eat cheese and milk. So yes, there's a difference. I understand nuts are a good source of protein. I personally miss peanut butter- but I'd miss my daughter more. Be creative. There are many sources of protein without being an animal or nut product. It's a challenge and yes more costly, I think most people are on a budget and struggle. But I pack my 8 year old non allergic son soynut butter and jelly. It's tolerable 5 meals/week. And snacks- can you eat popcorn or pretzels? I'm not being sarcastic, I promise. This is a very serious concern for parents of a peanut allergic child. I know it's a pain for the other parents. My 6th grader came home yesterday stating that in Consumer Sciences (home ec) they'll be making peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. He stated that his sister has an allergy, would he get it on him. She explained they wear large aprons. OK peanut allergic parents, what would you do? I called and explained the airborne and contact issues with my daughter and if my son stepped on the ingredients or the cookies it would then contaminate my home. She said they could just make chocolate chip then. What's common sense to "us" isn't to everyone else. (I think I'm driving my own family and friends crazy with my peanut safety). And Jennifer- I think- thanks for the sunbutter vote - I still have to try to find it locally or maybe order it from the manufacturer. :)

Virginia

Just say no to nuts

lunchroom

My child was in the lunchroom and everyone who bought lunch that day had a little cup of peanutbutter to dip veggies in. He didn't touch it, they told me he sat away from it. He broke out in hives all over which triggered his exzema and asthma. Peanut allergies can be airborne too.

PA

Jennifer

Violet - Sunbutter

Our local grocery stores - Publix and Kroger carry Sunbutter. I know many healthfood stores carry it as well, such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. If you don't have one of those in your area or if you do, and they don't have it in, ask if they can get some for you. Our local stores have been great about ordering products for us (son has multiple food allergies as well as PA) - just ask at customer service if they can do the same for you. The only reason you don't have my vote on it - it is made with soy which I was avoiding due to breastfeeding my new son. We are trying to avoid same allergens my oldest son has.

Kennesaw, GA

Bo

Had it Up to Here!!

So, I was willing to work around the PA kids problems, but now it turns out that he also has egg issues. So now that I finally got my son to eat a turkey sandwich for lunch (even though he misses PB), I can no longer put MAYO ON HIS BREAD. This is ridiculous!!! I'm so irritated by this family that I could scream. They put a list of over 100 items,many of which we love and eat and are GOOD FOR YOU; that we can not allow into my son's lunchbox. I would LOVE TO SUE THE SCHOOL FOR ENCROACHMENT OF OUR RIGHTS. Parents, your child will likely outgrown the PB allergy. Can't you keep them home for sometime until they can take care of themselves and the allergy goes away? Also, there are tons of doctors research happening right now that is aiding in children dealing with this issue and actually helping them get over it. I don't believe these children are best served in the community at large. Being dissabled is not the same as having a problem that requires 99% of normal people to change their behavior. It just doesn't. I feel for these parents that have this problem, but I have to ask how serious is the problem if you are willing to "RISK IT" at school and leave it to the rest of us to look out for your child. If the shoe were on the other foot, I would keep my child at home and do everything in my power to educate him so that he does not inconvenience others with his illness. The parent with the child that has such a serious illness should be held accountable for allowing their child to be exposed; instead of holding us accountable for their life. This is a slippery slope and while you think you are doing the right thing, there are many that are resenting the whole thing. I yes, I also think that your demands are selfish. There are not that many kids out there with this issue, so there are no special schools for them. Why do people insist on making others responsible? Why aren't they responsible? I just don't get it. Oh yes, by the way, we do have an allergy in our home, but notice that I didn't even mention it. Can it cause harm, you bet it can; and also, it is something that you have on you everyday and it would never cross your mind that someone could be allergic to it...it's called perfume and it is in EVERYTHING.

The South

Diane

Not just a sandwich

Everyone thinks that it is just the elimination of one sandwich one day a week. It really is so much more than that. Nuts are in many, many products -- I didn't even realize until I had to start making sure we didn't bring them to school. So, since all the PA parents say it's just one meal a day, perhaps they can send their child to another part of the school for just that one meal -- or would that be asking too much?

Dallas

Richard

Bo from Georgia

Thank you for your post! Under normal circumstances, the content of your post along with the fact that your name is Bo and you are from Georgia would give a pea brained sarcastic Yankee SOB like me hours of enjoyment. In fact, I could have written for hours before even mentioning the Dukes of Hazard, Foxfire, Return to Macon County, or the hit song, I’m My on Grandpa. Instead, all I want to say is this; be careful what you wish for, one day your wish may come true. To show that there are no hard feelings, I’d like to invite you to an annual picnic my family throws every year. Next year, it will be on May 28, 2007. Hey Diane, you are also invited to my picnic.

Pennsylvania

Peter

Outgrow

Just for the records Bo, a child has an 18% chance to outgrow this allergy. Please get your facts straight, and do not crucify an entire population of peanut allergies to your misfortunes. You have conducted yourself in a manner which is very selfish. I am a teacher in a school, and we try to take care of ALL children's needs. One day, you may need the school to support you or your children's needs. I hope you get better support than you gave here!

North Carolina

Francis Merlotta

Wow.....

Well said Peter. Bo definately was unfair here. I have a friend with this allergy. I have seen him go into shock after kissing his girlfriend who had a peanut product before they got together one night. I will never forget the look on his face when he could not breathe. Bo, we all need to work together. Your approach will not change anything.

Penn

mike

the real truth

joey,they have not had a problme yet.where is writen that a kid must have a peanutbutter sandwich or he`ll be robbed of some magical expierience.how about teaching them to be tolerant of other peoples needs,and that its not just about what they want.its about sacrifice sometimes.i dont think having a ham and cheese will send them into thearapy.i`ll tell you what would you be ok with my child bringing poison to school?no you would not.thats what its like for my child everyday.she has to run the gaunlet,so others con eat a P-N-J.its not right.

afghanistan

mike

more truth

hey stands with fist,and all you other vegans out there.are some of you vegans because you dont want to harm the poor little animals.and if so than why dont you have a problem risking a persons life.you are vegans by choice.my daughter never had a choice.just like you have the right to be a tree hugger my child has the right to attend school and be safe.

afghanistan

mike

perfect people

hey deborah.im sorry my kids not perfact.your kids not gonna have a heart problem cause he missed a couple a peanuts at lunch.and i take offence to you saying that we dont want to be responsible for our children who do you think you are.we take every step to insure our childrens safe education,and meet resistance from untolerant poeple just like YOU.school is not even about food its about GETTING A GOOD EDUCATION.i think your child can wait a couple of extra hours till schools out to have a healthy snack.

afghanistan

Violet

nut free schools

Suppose public schools (such as in our area, where we have SO many elementary schools and I know not all areas are the same) chose 1 elementary school in the county to be peanut free? I work in home health and some of our clients are sent to schools outside of their district to accomodate their special needs. That way for parents with children with airborne or contact allergies- which having them isolated at lunch time is NOT a solution - could have their child attend that school. That should cause less anger-you think? What's up with the NO MAYO? Is that child airborne allergic to egg products? I'm sure it's possible. Just for the record- because of my daughter's extreme allergies I am checking into home schooling or private schools. I DON'T trust that other people can do the right thing for her. If you don't live it everyday, you don't have to be so conscious of it.

Virginia

mike

whats next diane

diane is it so horrable to try to help these kids out.do u really half to write in CAPITALS to persecute these children?does the thought of you having to do something for a child anger you that much?have u always been this selfish or is this something you worked to perfect.god forbid you change your life one little bit to help your fellow man.whats next diane?shoud we remove handicap parking so u can have a shot at a good spot?should we remove all handicap people from society so you dont half to deal with them?i know,maybe we should just off these kids at birth so you never half to deal with them again.would that make you HAPPY.you r a horrable person you should be ashamed of yourself.

afghanistan

Wendy

DIANE

To all of you selfish people out there that are so upset about the idea that you might NOT be allowed to send peanut butter in with your child because they won't be healthy, make me sick! Do you realize that children who have a peanut allergy NEVER eat anything that has any type of peanuts in it. Which means that these children have about 1/2 of the selection of food to choose from and let me tell you they are just as healthy if not healthier than your child. So what makes me so sick is that your anger and resentment does not stem from the thought of your child not being healthy because they cannot have there peanut butter at school. It is really because you could care less that these children could die. It is a harsh fact but fact none the less. As you stated Diane, why should you have to be inconvenienced when it is only 1 out of 500 that are allergic, I tell you, these allergic children have every right to get a safe education, and should not be taked out of the mainstream as someone wrote. Remember, school is not only about education, but it is also about developing proper social skills. These kids should not be forced to be home schooled. They have the RIGHT to a safe education just like your child does. We cannot as parents of Peanut Allergic children allow our children to be bullied by these unfeeling people. They have just as many rights as eveyone else and we need to be strong and stand up for them. They are children, our children and they can't do it themselves. Remember all of you uncaring people out there, these children go through enough heartache they do not need you to add to it.

North Carolina

Wendy

Mike

Mike you got it right and I wish that more people with PA children were honest like you and said what they really felt, and not be so worried about being polite. These people attacking our children certainly are not concerned about being polite.

North Carolina

Anonymous

For Diane

Hey Diane, do you really think that we do not realize that it is not just a PB sandwich that you have to elimate. We live this everyday, try grocery shopping. And no moving our children to another part of the school won't solve the problem. Besides airborne contact, your child will come back to the classroom with pb on there hands and touch the doorknob, my childs desk, ect. and then my child could stop breathing from touching it. Is it really to much to ask for you to care just a bit and not send in the pb and all else containing it? I do it every day. For your information, my child has paid her dues, for her fist several school years, she ate in the office at school and her classroom. What a nasty person you are. Can you sleep at night?????

No location given

Wendy

vegans

Hey Stands with Fists, I guess since you are a vegan then your child has special needs and shouldn't harm my child by bringing in your peanuts. I guess you vegans with your special needs should be home schooled. Don't burden the rest of us with your special needs as you put it.

North Carolina

Wendy

Hey all of you out there who keep asking, "how far do we go"? "Whats next"? in reference to banning peanuts. Uhh let's think long and hard about this. Oh I know, as far it takes to make sure a child doesn't die. You find this to be rediculus and an infringement on your rights? I don't think so and if you do, you are telling these children that you would prefer to have the right to eat pb and let someone die, then to keep them safe. I happen to feel that it is an infringement on my child's rights, that you are allowed to bring poison to school, because that is the equivalence to peanuts to these children. Oh and Stands with Fists, YOU'VE TAKEN MY CHILD'S FREEDOMS AWAY BECAUSE YOU INSIST UPON BRINGING PB TO SCHOOL, AND IN DOING SO THESE CHILDREN CANNOT GO EVERYWHERE YOUR CHILD CAN, AND THEY HAVE TO BE FRIGHTENED. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, THIS GETS WORSE WHEN THEY GET OLDER BECAUSE OF PARENTS LIKE ALL OF YOU OUT THERE. YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN YOUR HEINOUS WAYS AND NOW THEY BEGIN TORMENTING AND THREATENING THESE CHILDREN LIVES WITH PEANUTS WHICH WILL KILL THEM IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFULL! I DO BELEIVE THAT YOUR PARENTING NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!

North Carolina

Jennifer

Have you asked your kids if it's a problem for them?

I see lots of parents on here crying about what an inconvenience it is for them...what do your kids think? Many of the kids around us have compassion for my son - when you explain peanuts can make him very, very sick, they go out of their way to help. Maybe your kids should teach you some compassion!

Kennesaw, GA

Linda Falini

Curious

I am curious. There has been some negativity here regarding the peanut allergy. I would really like some of the negative people here to quote whether they have children with the allergy or not. I would guess most are going to say, 'not', but I just want to know. If there are some who say 'not', I am wondering why they are visiting this web site? Is it to educate themselves about the dangers, or other motives? I was always taught the grass is always greener, so I wonder how some of the negative people would change their lives if they now had a child with this terrible allergy, which can cause serious problems if it goes airborne. NOBODY should compare any other allergies to the nut allergy unless it too, can cause problems if airborne.

Oregon

mike

bo from the south

bo i have only one question for you.single wide or double wide?you are beyond ignorent,these kids have only a very small chance at out growing this,and where do you get off saying that i am not a responsible parent.im more responsible than you will ever be.you do relize that your spending your time lashing out at the innocents of the world dont you?and oh yeah the south?are you holding on to some other views we should all know about?name your state!im sure they would be proud to have someone like you there.just incase your wondering im from the south.

afghanistan

Anonymous

Everyone just settle down now.

I am still not convenienced that some of the people who have posted here believe themselves; that this is a life-threatening problem. If it really was, they would know that there is no safe zone. Also, they would not entrust anyone with the health of their child. And for crying outloud -- it's not just a sandwich, nuts are in everything. And for the person that makes the comparison that we should bring poison to school; lighten up, get back Jack, poison could kill all, peanuts are toxic to few. That said, all lives are precious, especially children's. And yes, my son who has no allergies is extremly kind and he is also very Conscientious about his classmates health. He makes sure that he doesn't have any peanut residue after his breakfast of peanut butter. Just know, that as moms we would not proliferate unkind behavior; but you should also know that all these same moms, don't have a high opinion of the PB free policy. And for all of you attacking Bo, good grief, stay on topic will ya? What does his name have anything to do with his opinion? That is just rude and also prejudiced -- double-wide? come on, let's not throw stones. The topic isn't about demographics, or socioeconomic backgrounds here, the topic is safety in our schools and how we handle such a touchy subject. Most people are too polite to say straight up what they think, so it's good to come to a website that allows freedom to speak. My advice is to take some of this frustration from both sides to heart. I know that I have. I really thought that it would be a huge inconvenience; but have come to the conclusion that once you invest the initial 20 - 45 minutes to check the foods you eat on a regular basis, you can make adjustments. The part I still don't like is that I can't rely on the good ole PB sandwich as a fallback when I can't get to the grocery store. Also, all the other stuff that goes with meat sandwiches, plus the expense. But hey, if someone could die; what is the cost? I cannot say that I would do the same as the allergy parents, but this is their choice to do as they feel appropriate. The rest of you spewing venom on the various people that are obviously frustrated, really doesn't help their ability to see it your way; some of the comments are downright cheepshots. Everyone needs to take a page out of Dale Carnegie "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Yeah, everyone -- both sides. Calling people ignorant is such an explosive comment and makes postures that you are somehow superior in your thinking; when really it is just a difference of opinion and with a little enlightenment, could go a long way. Remember, many people reading this website will discuss what it said, so what and how you respond could make or break your argument. I hope that makes sense and that everyone will stop attacking and start educating.

No location given

mike

wont settle down

hey that difference of opinion could cost my kid her life ok.i am playing for keeps here.cant you understand that.they are selfish and i wont sugar coat it for them.if they choose to be emotional cripals then i`ll call um on it.things are the way they are.things are simple theres whats right and whats wrong.to easy!

afghanistan

Joan P.

Please think.....

Hey anonymous two posts up.......You are selfish and do not care about anybody but yourself. I quote, "The part I still don't like is that I can't rely on the good ole PB sandwich as a fallback when I can't get to the grocery store." Stop the press, sorry for troubling you. You know what, give your kids PB & J and pray you don't kill a child with your ignorance. I would bet my life savings you would change your view if the shoe was on the other foot. Thank you Mr/Ms. Anonymous.

Texas

Anonymous

Reply

afghanistan -- I was trying to be nice and voice an "opinion", but since you feel it necessary to vent a personal attack on someone trying to understand; here is one for you. There must be multiple things wrong with you, not just that you are hateful in your approach to inform. But also your inabilities to spell, punctuate, and write a grammatically correct sentence structure. You gave a low blow, and now I'll give one and make it personal. Now I understand why you want the entire world to flex around your demands, because you are too lame to take responsibilities for you and your own. I’ve read and re-read your rebuttals to the entire postings on the website and it is evident that you should never be a public spokesperson for this cause or any other cause. You somehow think your issue is superior to those of other humans on the planet earth. If I were you, I would concentrate on mastering the Queen’s language so you don’t sound like such a fool when you sound off. I hope you go back and correct all the spelling and punctuation errors. Clearly, you feel intimidated by the quality of the other postings. I feel sorry for you and for your kid. Nobody attacked you personally, yet you found it necessary to issue statements about someone’s name, etc. And your postings are dripping with sarcasm. I don’t want to use words that are too large for you to understand; that means, scorn, cynicism, or contempt. Funny thing is, I came to this posting in an effort to understand; but the pathetic hateful posting by both sides eradicates the necessity to recommend this website to others. Good Job!! Don’t use the word ignorant unless you know how to spell it!! It is spelled with an “a”, not an “e”. That is just one of several words you do not know how to spell.

No location

Withheld

Please

From an allergy parent's view -- not peanuts (soy products). Whoever wrote the post about getting rid of the handicap signs, I'm confused. This is an allergy not a handicap. Besides, it is our issue. If you want to make that comparison, that would be like making all children transport themselves all day in a wheelchair just because one child is wheelchair bound. Oh yeah, and the person that thinks PA is unique. Perfume allergies are airborne also. Just so you know, City and Govt. buildings ask that no worker wear perfume. It is only a request, not a demand.

Handicap

stacey

Peanut Free

My opinion on the matter of peanut free lunchroom would be influenced by the fact that I have a child that has an allegy to peanuts/treenut that can kill him but I do try to understand were the other children sacrifice comes in. I guess the million dollar question is whos right?? I don't think that who is right or correct really matters but what does matter is that all children should be able to go to a schools that are safe. Being safe for these children could mean that other may have to give up something for another person. I find that kids when approached about this issue can be so loving and understand but it is the s that stuggle with this sacrifice. We tell our children so often they can't have an item to eat or buy for whatever reason. Have we grown so hard that we can't tell our children that peanut in a school lunchroom could kill other children and say no. I stuggle with how we as humans lost our love for one another over peanut or peanut butter sandwiches. I understand that people will have to give something up and I've heard we don't want to punish 600 child for one child but isn't that one child worth life. Peanut allergies do come in all shapes and sizes but all should be considered to be serious. If you came to me today and said can your child give up milk for lunch everyday for a childs life?? How could you not say of course and explain to your child that you could have it when you get home. At what price do we put on a childs life???? For us we only wish we had a child that indigestion was his only trigger because is his very aware of the dangers but we have an airborne allergic child. walk a mile in some shoes can change alot of views and chooses...its a very sad day for this country that we true stuggle with the value of a childs life.

virginia

Len

Let's Work Together

Good day. As the moderator of this forum, I would like to ask that we try to work together here. The purpose of the web site is to help each other understand each other's feelings on this topic, so we may work together on a peaceful, safe solution. Name calling and disrespect is not going to help this situation at all, so I hope you can all honor this request. I was hoping this forum could help find a happy medium, not to divide everybody. One other small request, when you fill out the form to post, please fill out all the form fields. Thank you.

New Jersey

Richard

Len's last post

Len, I want to preface this post by again stating emphatically that I admire and appreciate your time and devotion to this board. Life in the new millennium has got to be the most hectic time known to humankind. I have five brothers and sisters. Believe me when I tell you, my parents did one tenth the running we do with just one child. Our son’s school district has been absolutely phenomenal!!! My wife, a conservative school teacher, has done several presentations for my son’s class. For this reason, my son’s class mates are very protective. The parents on the other hand, are very vindictive. Much like this board and other PA boards, those against peanut bans are the vindictive ones. In fact, until my sarcastic personality showed up on this board, those posting against peanut bans have been the disrespectful posters. The pro peanut ban posters have been very diplomatic when they post. I think you are preaching to the choir. For those who may not have gotten my May 28, 2007 picnic comment, that date is Memorial Day.

Pennsylvania

Not Alone

Modicum of Understanding

Here is what I'm hearing from both sides. "wah, wah, I want my way." "wah, wah, no, do it my way. If both sides would just relax and show empathy for what the other is going through, we could arrive at a happy place. Well, maybe not completly happy, but a modicum of understanding perhaps? I would like to see the PA parent say, "man, I know I'm asking a lot, but we are so grateful that you are willing to do this for us." And if I could get a non PA parent to say, "man, it probably s---s (Moderator changed word here. Please remember children visit here. Thank you) to worry about your child everyday, I will keep them in my prayers that they are safe." Instead there is nothing but hatred flying back and forth. Clearly, the PA parents are a wreck from worrying so much and defensive as hell. And the non PA's come off as being selfish and uncaring. Let's show a little consideration and try to experience what a typical day is for either of these situations.

Texas

Sue

Life or Death

I pay Taxes... I pay for my sons fatal allergys to be with him everyday in school ( free peanut/butter lunches ) the free breakfast they get with muffins, cookies they serve my son never gets a hot lunch i send him to school every day home made lunches feed him breakfast to protect him. all i want is my son to be protected i love him as much as you love yours. it just so happens it takes one fiftieith (1/50)of a nut and not even to be ingested to have a fatal reaction. would you be up in arms if a child had a gun in school with a bullet that was fatal to your child ..well that nut is my sons bullet. my son is educated and will continue to be on this issue, but how am i to assure that your child is educated about my sons trigger. lets not put that gun on the table and exspect it will be there in 5 minutes (with children) we can not leave my sons destiny in the hands of other children count on them being educated (( they are kids )) take away the danger as if you would a gun

NH

Jennifer

I am convinced this allergy can be fatal

A previous poster mentioned that I'm not entirely convinced that my child's allergy is deadly. I AM VERY CONVINCED! Why do I want to send my child to school knowing this? Because if I keep him a bubble all of his life by homeschooling him, then how can he function in the "real world"? So you are wondering how does banning peanuts/nuts from his classroom and asking for a nut free table at lunch teach him how to act in the "real world?" Essentially I am doing what he doesn't have the ability to do yet - I'm letting the people around him know that he has this allergy and please keep this food away from him. I worked with someone who had a peanut and nut allergy. She explained and asked that nuts are kept away from her - we complied. My child doesn't have the ability to do so yet - so I am doing it for him. In my perfect world nuts of all kind would be banished and then I could send my child out safely. In a truly perfect world, no one would have allergies of any kind. But since that world only exists in my dreams, I am trying to raise a child safely that will grow up to know how to protect themselves.

Kennesaw, GA

Leslie

Thank you Jennifer

Jennifer, to me, a perfect world would be everyone tolorating the peanut allergy. Instead of being so cruel with their comments on the allergy, they would be more compassionate and understanding. As said many times here, if the shoe were on the other foot, they would have a different attitude.

California

Brandi

I'm terrified!!

My three year old daughter was just diagnosed this week with a peanut, nut and egg white allergy. I had recently enrolled her in a preschool and thought that it would be a good idea to have her tested for allergies that I suspected she might have...little did I know I was about to have my world change in every possible way. I came on-line specifically to Google for peanut free preschools in the area. I happened upon this site and can very definitely say that I am in a state of absolute horror. I have to say that I am up against something very big, probably too big for myself alone to handle. I could not do this without my strong faith in God. It is really upsetting to hear such heartless comments about children. It's not enough having your child diagnosed with something so life threatening and getting so overwhelmed with the abundance of information about these allergies and then on top of that having to deal with parents blaming other parents that only want to keep their children safe and alive. What happened to "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself"?Leviticus 19:18 I now have comfort in the fact of knowing what challenges my family and I will be facing in the not so distant future. Blessings, Brandi <><

Austin, Texas

Samantha

Welcome

Brandi-Welcome to a whole new lifestyle and realize everyday will educate you with new material to protect your child. Yes, there will be obstacles, like some of the people on this forum, but you must rise above that and just protect your child, always. It is a battle we all have to deal with everyday. This web site is a good place to start.

Texas

Jennifer

Another great site (Len hope I'm not stepping on your toes here)

Another great site for peanut allergy information is www.peanutallergy.com The message boards are 99.9% parents of nut allergic children and those with the allergy themselves. They have great information about the allergy, safe resources for food and schooling. I highly recommend that you check it out if you are considering letting your child go to school because there is A LOT of information about what you might want to ask for from a legal standpoint. Some of you might find that writing things out in black and white are better than promises from a school official. School officials change and can succumb to pressure from parents who don't understand why peanuts have been banned.

Kennesaw, GA

Len

Not a problem at all

Jen, not a problem. No competition here. That is what this web site is for, to share and educate each other. I hope you and the rest of this forum community can spread the word about this web site as well.

New Jersey

Alison

Peanut Free Lunch Room

Every child is entitled to a safe environment where they can learn. The arguement that many kids like peanut butter is so insignificant when it comes to a CHILDS LIFE. Are we talking about the same thing here? Is it going to take a death before people understand? Don't even get me started on airlines

New Jersey

Beth

other food issues to consider

I believe in peanut free tables and supervised hand washing of young children. My son is milk and egg allergic and can have an anaphlatic reaction to any trace milk or egg proteins. Lunch at school may only be 5 meals out of 21 but given there are no microwave or cold storage and lunch meats contain trace milk, peanut butter is one of the few foods my child can and will safely eat. In addition, He has vegetarian friends who rely on nuts for the majority of their protein intake. Childern need to consume protein during their school lunch in order to sustain adequate learning throughout the day and bottom line is that schools are for learning. Research by Chapman & Woods published in the Journal of Immunology in 2005 shows no evidence to support airborne peanut allergen in school caferteria settings where other children were consuming peanut butter and that hand washing with soap and water removed all traces of the allergen from the peanut butter eaters hands. Yes, we must make accomodation of children who suffer from life threatening food allergy but the accomodation must be REASONABLE and can not be at the expense of others nutritional needs.

New Jersey

Jonas Baceli

For Beth

Beth, although Chapman & Woods stated there was no evidence that the allergy can be triggered if peanut butter was airborne, other reports prove it to be inconclusive (including my son's allergist). More tests need to be done on it. Until the medical community backs your data 100%, I am not going to risk my child's life. Personally, I don't believe in a peanut free lunchroom. I just want the children eating the peanut butter away from my child in case the allergy can be triggered if airborne.

New York

Beth

for Jonas, etc

My point about the research is that if your child is at a peanut free table the research shows no evidence of risk of severe reaction to my child's PB&J on the other side of the lunch room.If he washes his hands after eating and the teacher makes sure he does then the risk is eliminated. My point in general is that peanut free schools are not a REASONABLE accomodation and may discriminate against others. Giving up peanut butter or nuts is not just a matter of convenience for some people and we all need to be mindful about the fact that others may have their own concerns. What about the kid with a compulsive disorder that makes him feel a need to eat nuts with his lunch? Can a school discriminate against his needs if he has a 504 plan? By the way I do know what fears you face as parent of peanut allergic children. My child was peanut allergic. He is one of the lucky 20% that outgrown their peanut allergy. I was also fortunate this happened before his enrollment in public school. Before he was in school, his caregiver was able to prepare and cook him special nut free meals.

New Jersey

maureen

peanut free snacks

Can some one send me a list of food ideas kids can eat in a nut free classroom. I know parents should read labels but I still need ideas Are cheeze its OK

kingston

Len

Maureen.....

Maureen, if you send me an email, I can forward you a list. I used to have it on this web site, but took it off because the ingredients changed on a few items. PLEASE, keep in mind, the list may not be 100 percent accurate, as the ingredients may change. Click the "Contact" link for my email.

New Jersey

Jonas

For Beth

Beth, point taken. For me, I am confortable with a child eating a PB and J sandwich a few tables away from my child. But, all the data right now is really inconclusive. Some in the medical field think it is perfectly safe, others are not sure. I have read studies supporting both sides. This does not make me feel so comfortable, but, as long as there is a safe distance, I believe it should not be a problem.....then again, I am not a doctor.

New York

Anonymous

The Voice of Many

As a PA parent, I would beg to be very cautious of sending my child into harms way. After reading the post of the parent that said the peanut is my child's bullet, it occured to me, that bullet would only injur your child and no other children even if it was pointed right at them; So, I thought about it and decided that I wouldn't want my child anywhere even "friendly fire" could reach him. I'm appalled that there are peanuts in almost every product - even it it doesn't list peanuts in the main ingreadiants, it's almost everywhere. One parent wrote, it cuts our choices by 1/2." It does that for all the student, facilty and staff at the school now too. Also, the fact that we are "the ones" that are keeping all the other children from enjoying the normal diets that they have eaten their entire lives. Many times it was posted, "if the shoe were on the other foot." Well, the shoe is not on the other foot. Have you checked into home-schooling? All all my pre-conceived notions of home-schooled children have evaporated. Not only is there a huge community that now home-schools (especially in Texas), it is a thriving and superior way to both educate and safely keep my child. For all those parents that are afraid that their children won't be social, let me put those fears to rest. The HS community has numerous social activities on a daily basis that will give them plenty of playtime around other children -- children from very diverse backgrounds, and educational levels. For sports, their are tons of YMCA sports to participate in. And most of all, a support network of other caring and concerned families. Getting the school to go peanut free was like pushing rope uphill. For the other 670 families enrolled in school, they were not too keen on the idea of peanut free, nor did the teachers want the responsibilities. It got me thinking that if there were that many people against it, what are the chances that someone would slip up? I think it could happen and you would be responsible for sending a child into harm's way. Plus, an unknowing teacher/school would have that on their concience. Lastly, PA parents are not going to be invited to the social events at others houses b/c of the special needs it presents. Finally, there is a home with the HS parents and their children who are more than understanding of special needs. Instead of fighting the community, learn to adapt for your own needs. This is a good forum to learn how to keep your children safe. It is easier to change yourself, than to change others. I think everyone understands that it is deadly; they just don't want to take the responsibility of another's. Take heart, many children outgrow this or it becomes very mild; if you were unlucky, maybe you will be lucky and overcome the allergy. A good website is www.homeschooling.com. Also, if you do a google for your city/state, it will pull up many resources. No one wants your child to live behind closed doors as one person put it; everyone wants to put the needs of all children first. There are a lot of social opportunities for homeschooled children and best of all, your child will grow up to see his graduation and go on to college. We have to stop saying that it is just a PB sandwich or we are going to give the wrong message. Nuts and nut products are in hundreds of foods that people eat all day long. I beg everyone to stop saying it is just a PB&J -- nuts are everywhere and it gives the wrong impression.

Texas

Andrea

The Voice Of Many

Wow, even though your post was as long as 'Gone With The Wind,' you put up some very good points :)

Tenn.

Withheld

The Voice of Many

Voice of Many: You do make a good point and that is exactly how we felt. It's a little like making your child cross a busy intersection by themselves with no cross-walk. It is insane to expect all those cars to stop. (that is a good analogy since it is about the odds we are looking at here....1 in thousands have PA) Yes, most people would never run you over; it's just that one that isn't paying attention, and then it's too late. I implore all parents reading this to find other ways other than sending them into the public or even private sector. It is much, much safer as well as a whole lot easier to keep your child safe until they can cross the street on their own. Don't worry, the social stuff you can handle by socializing them in situation that you have total control. Also, by the time they are 10 and older, they will be able to help themselves more and, as they get older, will even outgrow it. Stop trying to make all the traffic stop, it's insane to just hope for the best. We want a homeshooling chapter started in Dallas that is run by maybe 10 families -- this would allow homeschooling with their peer group and also keep them safe. The "No Child Left Behind Act" might help in this endeavor. The purpose is to allow all children to receive an education without discrimination against the whole or the individual. Whether this will mean separate, but equal classrooms, lunchrooms, meals, whatever...it is already clear to us that the government will not allow the banning of allergy elements from the schools. In so doing, they would have to address ALL allergies, not just nut allergies to be "fair and equal". Also forbiding others from a "normal meal experience" would be discriminatory as well. I'm interested to know if there have been anyone approaching their local congressman yet; my guess is no, since it is received negatively in the schools already. HERE ARE SOME GOOD NUT ALTERNATIVES HIGH IN PROTIEN -- Beef Jerky, Baby Spinich on a sandwich, Low-fat creamcheese with honey and cinamon on a cracker, Yogurt, Gogurt, Pimento Cheese on celery, guacamole.

Dallas

Leah

Peanut free school

My son currently attends First Grade at a "Peanut Free School". Does anyone have any ideas for lunches for my 6 year old?

Massachusetts

Jennifer

Re: Homeschooling

Some excellent points have been raised in favor of homeschooling...but I have to think, what happens when I let my child step outside our front door? Posters have offered great options regarding socialization...but how can I trust that they will keep my child safe? I recently had a church tell me that there was no way they could remove or monitor (parents donate) the snack for the 45 minute Sunday school class. I see conflicts from others, who have asked to have a peanut/tree nut free zone when it comes to Boy or Girl Scouts, athletic games and other events. The fact is, I will be forever afraid when my child leaves the house. I will do my best to educate him, the people around him and the school and PRAY on a daily basis that I have done enough.

Kennesaw, GA

Jenny

Where did all this drama come from?

So many are talking about the possiblility of anaphylactic reactions and death, yet how many life threatening events due to nut allergies have occured in the US in recent history? I'm not talking about swelling or itching, I'm talking about serious events. Our society is overreacting and becoming so dramatic of what may happen! Could someone please give me some statistics on actual life threatenting events with nut allergies in schools across the US, I cannot seem to find any. No doubt there must be precautions, training and medications available, at all schools, in case of an emergency. However, bans on food items to prevent the improblable is an infrindgemnt on others rights and is taking potential situations to the extreme--when will this stop?

Michigan

Peter

Deaths

"Allergies to peanuts (a legume) are responsible for nearly 100 deaths and 15,000 visits to emergency rooms -- about half the deaths and emergency room visits caused by all food allergies -- each year, according to FAAN." Source: http://allergies.about.com/cs/peanuts/a/blfaan120903.htm

Alabama

Lori

What Is Peanut Free?

I have a solution to the problem. People can go into anaphylactic shock due to many allergies other than peanuts and tree nuts. I think maybe if we placed everyone in a plastic bubble it would solve the problem. There are many trees outside that just drop nuts to the ground, should they all be chopped down? COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Michigan

Jennifer

Cutting down trees???

I think I have been entirely reasonable in my requests. I live in Georgia, pecans and peanuts are a huge industry. I would never dream of asking to remove these trees. Will we be making school trips to visit these farms, no. Many (not all) think giving up peanut products for a few hours a day is too difficult to manage. Yes, I understand that there are kids that have to have pb&j and others who have nuts as a source of protein. I understand about dietary restrictions and will make every effort to switch classes to accomodate your request. I just ask you to put yourself in my sons shoes for a moment. He will be making sacrifices all of his life - not just 8 hours a day. Have you read a label lately? Of the last ten packages I have picked up to bring home, seven of them had "may contains." I am blessed that I don't have to worry about products made on shared lines right now (because my son's allergy has not progressed to that point yet) so I only call a few companies when I have concerns about products. Some people have to call on every product that crosses their mouth or their child's mouth. Have you looked at the deli counter lately - they have this nice sign that says they are using the same equipment that processed nuts. My local grocery store just put the same sign up on the meat counter. What am I supposed to feed my child??? Going out to eat is an ordeal - will we live if we don't ever eat out, sure. Is it convenient, no. When we travel by car, if we eat out - in the back of my mind I'm wondering where is the nearest ER. We have eliminated traveling by air at this point because many airlines are under the impression if you pay an exorbitant amount for a ticket, you are entitled to a package of peanuts or nuts. That could possibly limit my son's career choices unless the airlines change their policies and begin to understand the seriousness of this allergy. Can you imagine having a reaction while up in the air? If we go out, the disinfecting wipes go with us. We wipe down everything that my son will be touching. (Ironic since they believe allergies are on the rise because our society is too germ free.) It would be so easy to "bubble" my child and never let him leave the house. I would know that he is safe and my life would be easier. But what about his life? Forever on the inside looking out? That's not a way to live.

Kennesaw, GA

Jennifer

Come on Lori

Lori, are you for real? Try to be a little more compassionate and educated. The PA parents are not trying to eliminate peanuts from the schools, just trying to make the schools safe for their children. They are entitled to that, as all parents should be. If half a lunchroom is peanut free, and the other half not peanut free, why should that upset you in any way. Your analogy to nuts on trees is ignorant and makes no sense what so ever. I was late to work today because I got stuck behind a school bus for 20 minutes. In New Jersey, it is illegal to pass a bus when the red lights are flashing. I did stop though. Why? Because we are all here to make the world safe for ALL our kids. Just because my child was not on the bus, should that mean I do not care?........therefore I could break the law and pass the bus risking running over a child. I do not do that because I care about all children, obviously, unlike you. Try to be more sensitive and understanding instead of sturring up the pot! EVERY child deserves to be safe at school. As said before, one day you are going to need the school to be understanding for your children's needs. Hopefully you get a better reception than you give!!!!!!!!!

New Jersery

Lori

Maybe I did come accross strongly. Yes ALL childern a precious but the whole world cannot revolve around the minority. I'm so adamant because I received a note from my childs school that one child in the entire elementary school has a peanut allergy. The request was that I not send peanut products (beleive me I have no problem with that) however, I was asked to be label consious and not purchase anything that might contain nuts, peanuts or by-products of nuts, also that my child had to wash his or her hands before leaving home! I'll not have anyone dictate what I serve in my own home. Childern with this severe allergy and many other disabilities need to be taught how to function in the world rather than have it revolve around them. It's not that I am not sympathetic to their needs, those are their needs, not everyone elses. Would any one of you be willing to stop driving your car for asthmatics?

Michigan

Gina

For Lori

Lori wrote: "Children with this severe allergy and many other disabilities need to be taught how to function in the world rather than have it revolve around them." Would you trust your 5 year old in Kindergarten to fend for themselves with this horrible allergy? I don't think so. School is the learning ground for many children with disabilities. The school community needs to accept all 'special needs' children and work together, not divide the community. Lori, you still have not posted what truly disturbs you about this allergy. Other than complain, you have given any reason to support your feelings.

South Carolina

Sue

LETTER school sent home w/ class

2 epi-pens at school 1 in class and 1 in nurses office (fulltime nurse) Ive gone from my son eating lunch in the classroom to at a desk alone in the cafe sometimes peanut free table and sometimes not ....had hime removed from the class taken to the office during art becasue M&M's were brought in for a project..((Big NO NO if your a 504 Student)) exsplained over and over the point that he has had contact reaction got letters from the doctor with a statement of being airborne,as well as contact and ingestion. last years note to parent regarding peanut free class was its not ok for nut products in class but they will be sitting at the other end of the table so its ok .. needless to say (( I took care of that note real Quick ))and the issues. this year the parent letter went out 2 days after school was in session and states this year we have a studentin our class with a life threatening nut allergy. it is very inportant that none of the students bring snacks or classroom treats containing nut or nut oil,as we eat snack in our classroom. Since we eat lunch in the caffetteria, your child may bring lunch containing nuts and nut oils. thank you very much for your cooperation with this.if you have any questions or concerns contact 'teachers name here'. Now storage of these peanut lunches will be in the classroom, that is to be peanut free ..this school just cant seem to get it ..i had the same problem with the last school until my son had a contact reaction at school in his class the day after halloween.. sometimes i get tired dealing with the schools but i know there is no better advocate for my son than myself but is it really working ..ugghhh ..HELP

NH

Sue

WOW LORI

goto the AFFN now and start educating yourself,I strongly recommend you stop and read all packages and not feed may contain pkg to your child also artificle is also another big NO NO or you just may find your child and yourself in a life-threatening situation beyond your control.I hope you have smarts enough to carry an epi-pen. My husband was the biggest critic until my son was being taken out by ambulance passed out in his arms with oxygen level at 76 and myself wasnt around to take care of it. He says he learned the hard way hes worse than i am now on my sons saftey . We are talking life or death here of your baby and mine do us all a favor and get smart on this issue

NH

Jenny

Thank You Peter

I appreciate the link to the FAAN statistic, but it really didn't address my point. How many anaphylactic reactions to children have occured in PUBLIC SCHOOLS? There is no reference to the cause/situations of these hospital visits and, sadley, the deaths. I am still not convienced that peanut free schools are the answer, education on the subject and the protection of the rights for ALL children is vital. This "epidemic" seems blown out of porportion when a child cannot bring in a "fruit snack" that may have been packaged on equipment that may contain nut oil. How is this a risk to a child with allergies? Are children with life threatening allergies not taught to consume and touch only their food? Are they not taught to wash their hands frequently after being in public areas where food is present? This banning of food just seems so extreme.

Michigan

Zoe

Peanut free Lunch

I think that if we are going to put our children with peanut allergys in the public schools, that the school shoud do the same things we do at home. Our homes don't just have a peanut free area our whole house is peanut free. If the school can't provide that for our children is that not the same as giving a diabetic child too much suger? No one would do that if they know, so what is the difference?

IL

Lori

For Gina

It is not the allergy or any other disability that disturbs me. It's the fact that you people want everyone else to conform to the dietary requirements of your allergic child. Would I trust my five year old? Yes, as a matter of fact, I would. He knows not to run into the street of oncoming traffic because he could get killed! Do accidents happen, yes, all of the time. Can we control them? NO, so please stop trying. The problem is too many people want to be in control for their own agenda.

Michigan

Lori

restricting nuts

I have a question for some of you people with children with severe nut allergies. Why do you send them out in public at all? Not just schools, but what do you do about stores or any other public place where people have consumed nuts, have the oil on their hands and touch something your child may come into contact with? Why is it that people with children with auto-immune diseases aren't requesting all children in public shools be sanitized and wear masks to school with full surgical attire? Is that what's next? These children are no different than yours with their needs. Please, do your allergic children justice and educate them rather than over protect! It's ok to tell them they are different because everyone is.

Michigan

Jennifer

Jenny

Jenny I don't have statistics for you, but I do have a link for another website www.peanutallergy.com I strongly recommend you check out the message boards there to see what parents of these peanut and tree nut allergic children are facing. There are plenty of stories about reactions to trace amounts and even aersol reactions. I also suggest you check out the In Memory Of threads. Maybe that would help you to understand why this is so important to us. Thanks!

Kennesaw, GA

Jennifer

Lori

Given all of the obstacles that are out there for a peanut allergic child, it would be so easy to keep them at home. Yes, grocery stores are an issue for us. Before my son even sits in the cart, he knows that we have to wipe everything down with disinfecting wipes. We also do the same if we go out to eat (we avoid places that serve nuts). I'm trying to teach him to survive in a world where nuts are everywhere. I want him to be able to grow up, have a career and a family as normally as possible. His allergy is entirely different from a child with an autoimmune disorder. I don't know what the parent's situation is in your school. Possibly the school has gone above and beyond the call of duty to restrict all nut products given the increase in allergies. I know it's hard for you, but maybe you can see how hard it is for us. Just think of how much healthier your child will be since most of the food that has trace amounts of nuts in it are pre-packaged food that have lots of preservatives, saturated fat, etc. Frequent handwashing is a great habit to get into at an early age also. Will probably help to cut down on the colds that make their way through children's classroom.

Kennesaw, GA

Lori

Jennifer

I do sympathize with what you and the other parents are going through and I'm willing to do my part in restricting whole nuts. Human nature is to protect our children and put our own first. My children do not get many prepared snacks anyway and I use very few prepared foods. I buy organic and Amish whenever I can. Take a look at the ingredients in hair products and cosmetics though, many of them contain almond oil. One of my son's favorite Christmas cookies that I make contains almond extract. What happens if he's eating a cookie at home then touches either a library book or shared book and it later comes in contact with the allergic child? We can only be so careful. The way some of the others here talk, if my child were that bad, I would not take them anywhere for fear of certain death! I don't believe it is that bad. Although I know it is serious.

Michigan

Jennifer

Lori

I know that there are parents out there that do have to worry about their child touching the library book you described. I also know that there are parents out there that don't necessarily have to, but do anyway. Nut allergies are insidious because we are taught that if we deny, deny, deny then one of two things might happen - either you will outgrow (only occurs in 18-20% of cases) or you will increase your risk of having a much more severe reaction. Right now my child doesn't react airborne nut particles and to the best our knowledge, he doesn't react to nut protein (which can be invisible to the naked eye) by touching it. Having said that, I still do my best to deny him those situations because his allergy could become more dangerous with increased exposure. Even parents of children with peanut allergies struggle to find the best solution for their children. Many refer to it as their "comfort zone". I must admit (though it might not seem like it to you) my comfort zone has become much more relaxed since my son's initial diagnosis. Most (not all) allergists say "You're child has a peanut allergy, they can die if they eat nuts, here is an epi-pen." and send you on your way. So then you start doing research and you read the horror stories. And then you read about the hidden dangers - foods that are processed on or in the same plants that nuts are. And you freak out some more. Yes, I had a panic attack when I realized the shampoo I used had almond oil in it and I bathed my child in that same bathtub!! Then you have time to let it sink in and some of us relax a bit - not to the point of giving a child a "may contains" but to the point of letting others eat a "may contains" in their presence (this is my personal view, not saying it should be that of all parents with a nut allergy). I'm still paranoid to the average parent. Right now, we (my son and I) avoid most food events with my Moms Club unless Daddy is there to help. My son is at the age where he is the human vacuum cleaner - eating stuff off the floor (we are also dealing with multiple food allergies and avoidances). But I know I'm doing the best I can to let my child live his life and keeping him safe. Does this make sense?

Kennesaw, GA

Jennifer

Lori

I also wanted to say, thank you for coming here to find out more information. You may have come across as being a bit abrasive and put me on the defensive initially (I admit, I'm guilty of being on the defensive too often when it comes to nut allergies), however I have really enjoyed debating with you!

Kennesaw, GA

Lori

Jennifer

I'm sorry if I came accross as being so abrasive. It was not an attempt to undermine anyone. I've appreciated the debate with you also. What you are saying does make sense. I am forever thankful that my two sons are very healthy and I tried to put myself in the place of of the parents that have children with this type of allergy. I think we really do need to take a realistic approach. I too carry several Epi-pens because I am allergic to bee and wasp sings. I do not avoid the places where one might find them, in fact, I have honey bees in a wood pile out back. I do not want them exterminated because they are so valuable to our environment. My attitude is, when it's my time to go, nothing I can do will keep me here anyway. Trust me though, I don't go out of my way to be with the bees. LOL I do love cider mills which are swarming with wasps and bees.

Michigan

Edie

where will it stop?

I have a friend whose child is severely allergic to peanuts. She is so allergic that her epipen has had to be used 4 times in her life and she is only 6. I think sh eis a terrific kid, love her family, and want what's best for her. That being said, I have a huge problem with the whole "let's ban peanuts from school" option. First, it doesn't solve the problem -- it might (might!) lessen the chances a child might come into contact with a peanut, but it does not make that school safe. In order for a school to be truly safe, every child that attends that school would have to forgo peanuts/peanut butter/ all food prepared with any peanut oil/or any food prepared in a facility that is not completely peanut free. Not only that, but every person that child knows (mother, father, grandmother, etc) would have to do the same (thus eliminating traces of peanut oils/dust/toxins from travelling to school on a mitten that had been laid inadvertantly on a kitchen counter or on a binder left on a kitchen table). The truth is, eliminating (banning) peanuts from a school just doesn't do enough...it doesn't solve the problem. The only way to make sure your child with a peanut allergy is safe if to home school him/her and never let them out of the house or let them have any contact with another person outside of yourself. It is simply unreasonable and ridiculous. These children have a dangerous, extremely difficult situation to face. It is something they will have to deal with (rather than expecting the world to deal with it) every day for the rest of their life. It isn't fair, but it is their problem. Teh only solution is to educate them about the dangers of peanut products, teach them how to administer an epipen, teach those adults that are around your child every day how (and when) to use it, and then let the child travel with the epipen -- not keep it in a nurse's office where it may or may not be accessible quickly enough. The solution is the administration of the epipen before that child's life is at risk, not some ban on peanuts for everyone-- this is simply a bandaid and not a very good/effective one.

Connecticut

Jenny

Thank You Jennifer

I was unable to locate In Memory of Threads but I did read multiple reaction stories. I am slowly understanding how devastating this is to families. One thing I noticed with many reports were that dispite near constant efferts, accidents happen and immediate treatment is vital. It seems impossible to control environments--so again, I am not convinced that "peanut free" schools are the answer or are even possible. Accidents WILL happen dispite all the restrictions. Education, emergency plans and medication immediatelly available still seems like the only logical solution. My children have the right to eat whatever she/he chooses and they are very sensative to their friends with nut allergies and know to keep their food away from them and to wash face & hands before any close contact--this should not be a difficult lesson for young ones to learn. I remain sensative to PA families challenges, but banning/restricting choices remains an infrindgement on an individual's rights--and I do not believe it is the answer.

Michigan

Geraldine

Peanut free

Our school just went to peanut free this year. So far, no resistance. There was an incident last year that caused concern. It's sad that something bad has to happen to gain support from the non PA families.

Alabama

Cathleen

Peanut Free

Geraldine. I think it is sad something had to happen to gain support for the peanut free school from the non PA parents. We should all care for all children as well as our own.

New York

Susan

Stop comparing...

I just wish some of the negative ones here would stop comparing peanut allergies to other allergies. They are not the same. Not saying one is worst than the other, just stop comparing.

Utah

Jennifer

Why peanut free zones are so important to our kids...

Yes, even with a "peanut free zone" accidental exposure can still occur. Yes, teachers and schools are trained in use of the epi-pen. But increased exposure can lead to reactions growing worse. What can be worse than an anaphylactic reaction? An anaphylactic reaction that comes on faster than the one before. Yes, my child's emergency kit will come equipped with epi-pens, benadryl and a cell phone (I don't want to waste precious moments getting to the office to call 911). But there is still the time it will take an ambulance to reach the school and then transport to the hospital. If I sent my child to a place that didn't have a peanut free zone, I'm risking the chance that he will have numerous reactions making his allergy worse.

Kennesaw, GA

Jennifer

Jenny - an article for you

I was reading this on another site and thought the article might be interesting to you. http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum8/HTML/001853.html "For unknown reasons, food allergies have increased 55 percent in the last five years. Seventy-five percent of all deaths from food allergies happen in schools, yet most schools do not have plans to protect children. "

Kennesaw, GA

kelly

lunch and snacks

I received a note home that there are 4 students in my sons grade that have nut allergies. We were asked to send nut free snacks etc to school with our children, but werent' given much guidance on what that means. I know that a product can't even be manufactured in a place where nut products are manufactured. Do you have a more comprhensive list of what snack food are SAFE to send to school? Thank you

ny

Gail

what to bring for lunch

I need to know what is peanut free so that my daughter can take a health inexpansive lunch to school because there's a student allergic to Tree Nuts and peanuts

Paris Ontario

Kevin Johanson

Peanut Safe

Gail and Kelly, in an earlier post, it states you can email the webmaster of this site, and he will send you a peanut free safe foods list.

California

Withheld

Everyone should read this

The numbers – Let’s talk about the numbers. To those that live with PA, it seems that it is only one meal a day; but let’s examine what that really is. It is only one meal for you today, but it is 1500 meals a day in the school. To put it more to the point, 1500 times that someone might not get it right and might have some nut product in something that they have brought to school. That number is frightening alone, but multiply it times 5 days in the week and now you have 7500 and that is just at our school. Also, take a look at the number of lunches you are requesting be something that does not contain any nut products; does that really seem fair for 7500 lunches to be nut free; while only 15 would be required of a PA person? Let’s look at another number. There were 100 students that died last year due to nut allergies. Those deaths happened about 50% at home and 50% at school. But looking at the number in still other ways – the student population that suffers from PA is .0000001%. Did you know you actually have a better chance of being struck by lightening than by passing away from a nut allergy? Did you also know that nut allergies comprise a small percentage of allergies overall? Insect allergies actually are the largest with many of these reactions becoming severe and/or deadly to the unfortunate person. These numbers alone should be a huge wakeup call for anyone thinking they can send their child to school and have it safe. Secondly, it should be a huge wakeup call for what you are asking……read on

Texas

Withheld

A Rock Thrown into a pond has a ripple effect.

To the PA Parent that compares the bus stop. To the Parent saying they stopped at the bus loading Zone. Bravo. That is the law and it protects one and all children because the bus has hundred of children all over town that are being transported. This is indeed a law that is designed to protect thousands and thousands of children. In using your comparison, we should all board the bus that your child is on, carry her into class and straighten her dress…i.e., forbid food that we would have normally eaten on a normal basis, read every label of every product we want to purchase, re-read it the next time just to make sure they didn’t start using any nut products, force our children to eat a lunch/snack they are not very fond of (soy products, meat products, etc.). I’m not trying to be malicious. I think all children need to be protected, but at what expense? The anger of people that should not be put through what you are put through? (Note one PA parent pointed out that they have less than ½ the selection of other people; we now have the same problem because of the PA student in school.) The impossibility that you will not accidentally ingest something that could make you sick? I’m struck that this allergy could not be that dangerous, because I don’t think a parent would send their child to navigate a busy intersection. Or to use a harsher reality, it would be like asking a stranger if they could escort your child across the street.

Dallas

Christina

Response to Texas

To the Texas posts: Let's look at your comment "Did you know you actually have a better chance of being struck by lightening than by passing away from a nut allergy?" We'll, do you stand outside in a lightning storm, or do you look for a protective shelter? Not such a great analogy. Next question, does a peanut allegic child go near peanuts, or look for a protective shelter? With your logic, a child should be permitted to play in an electrical storm and a child with PA should be permitted to be near peanuts. And, for the other genius from Texas, you are missing the point about passing the bus. The point was, we as parents should make the entire school experience safe for all children. We should work together on this, no matter what small problems it may cause to you. As said many times here, one day you may need to support from the school community for a special need of your children. Your anger is the reason why many schools are having a hard time creating a safe environment. Instead of being so critical, why don't you step up to the plate and try to come up with an educated solution.

Caifornia

Withheld

Sanitize

Does anyone else get that nut allergies are being blammed on us being germ phobes? The mere fact that we have to scrub everything down contributes to the problem of being overly sanitized. Doesn't that perpetuate the problem? Also, has anyone seen the progress that an allergy doctor is making in introducing peanut flour into the diet? It has had good success in many cases.

Texas

Withheld

Analogy

Christina: Before reading this, understand that I'm onboard with helping and protecting children. The purpose of pointing out the stats, it just so that you are aware. In the lightening case: Did you know that lightening strikes 25 miles ahead of the storm? The reason people get struck by lightening is not often b/c they were out in the storm directly; indeed, it hits them when they are unaware that a storm is coming. Would I go out into a lightening storm; of course not and I'm sure you would not either; however, not understanding fully the risk is what I'm getting at here. You assumed that I was for or against the proposed peanut ban. The snippyness of your retort is the reason many of the parents at our school are perplexed at how to "kid-glove" the complexities of a situation where clearly, this only affects one child, yet thousands are affected in their endeavor to protect. It has been our experience at our school on the board that the PA afflicted are hyper-sensitive and overtly hostile. The line is blurred now between doing the right thing for a child and people that have been offended by the hostility of the PA's. Working together does not require such snippyness. Kindess and education such prevail. Over and over in these postings, I see the PA's anger exhibited. Our school is sensitive to the needs of all children, but that doesn't always reflect the feelings of the parents paying thousands of dollars for private education. Many are seeking alternative schools b/c they are not real keen on being told what they can and cannot send to school for their children. this voice represents the largest population. As someone serving on school committees, I hear a lot about their feelings both pro and against. Much of the talk will at somepoint cover the hostilities on both sides of the issue.

Texas

Withheld

E Pluribus Unum

"E Pluribus Unum" was the motto proposed for the first Great Seal of the United States by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. A latin phrase meaning "One from many," the phrase offered a strong statement of the American determination to form a single nation from a collection of states. Over the years, "E Pluribus Unum" has also served as a reminder of America's bold attempt to make one unified nation of people from many different backgrounds and beliefs. The challenge of seeking unity while respecting diversity has played a critical role in shaping our history, our literature, and our national character.

Texas

Cynthia

E Pluribus Unum

E Pluribus Unum or E Pluribus Boredum. Texas, practice what you preach. Maybe some PA parents get 'snippy' as you say, because you put them on the defensive with you comments. PA parents want the support of everyone. They only get snippy because of people like yourself who pontificate on various topics without doing the research or putting themselves in other's shoes. You're preaching to the wrong choir here.

Connecticut

Withheld

Connecticut

Connecticut, I would never propose any preaching to your choir or anyone else's. As evidence by your once again hostile retort, this is exactly what we are experiencing. And just for the record, we have done our research, shall we go over the number of lunches we have willingly given up? 7500 a week -- that, my friend is not pontificating, that is fact. If you look around outside your field of self-pity, you will see thousands and thousands of changes we are doing in and around our schools. Never once have we been hateful or resentful about this. What we are troubled by is the hostile and defensive and,may I add, dangerous, dangerous, dangerous position this puts a school in, both legally and marketability. We will be asking our school to make some adjustments. I'm not a PA parent, but I'm scared to death that this one child could come in contact with a nut no matter how much education we do. I don't think a total nut (everyone stop saying PEANUTS -- it's all tree nuts)ban is the answer, it's too restricting to others. On the otherhand, allowing peanuts anywhere in the vincinity of an allergic child is too risky......

Texas

Lori

stop comparing

Why are you asking to stop comparing the nut allergies with others? Is it that you'll find your case is not as strong as you think it is? Do some research, more people allergic to bees die getting stung each year than people do with nut allergies.

Michigan

Jennifer

Texas

I agree some studies are showing that introducing peanut flour is helpful to some. However that is being done in a controlled environment. We can't just expose our children to nuts and magically cure them - it could actually make their allergy worse. Yes, there is a possibility that our over clean world is what contributed to my son's allergy, but the damage is done. I can't not scrub the tables and chairs at this point because I will be putting his health at risk. I understand that your school district is trying to be understanding and helpful, but please understand not all school districts are doing the same. It's an uphill battle for most of us, which is why I'm sure a lot of us are on the defense. We all want the same thing - for our children to be safe in school.

Kennesaw, GA

Sharon

Peanut Allergies

I liked the comments on living with your allergy. I think many of you have forgotten to teach responsibility to your children. This sounds a lot like the man who sued McDonald's for burning himself with coffee. Coffee is hot! You can get burned! Nobody wants to take responsibility anymore. Make your children aware of their allergy. Educate them on the dangers. Don't expect an entire school to regulate their eating habits. A peanut free environment does not promote or teach responsibility, it just teaches us that if we are different, the world will cater to our every wish. I do believe we should educate teachers, parents, and students about careful hygiene after eating peanut products, but expecting all students to never eat anything with peanut oil is ludicrous. If a child can go into shock from airborne peanut oil, how about the child wears a mask? That way all the other 20-34 students in the classroom don't have to monitor the labels of everything they consume. Shouldn't the responsibility rest with the parent and the child. School are already expected to educate, to feed, to instill a positive sense of self esteem, to mother, to father, and to be a daycare provider. Now you want schools to be "Food Nazis" Teach your allergic child. In the real world, away from the school, they will have to make themselves aware of every danger. Shouldn't that learning come sooner rather than later.

California

Len

For Texas and Lori

For Texas (sorry, you did not put your name), and Lori. My name is Len, the moderator for this forum. I am very happy you both voice your opinion here. This forum is geared to help educate all sides of the issue. When I created this site, I did not know who would post. I have 2 questions for both of you. The first, what brought you to a peanut allergy web site? Secondly, what restrictions, if any, are in place at your children's school? I truly believe all sides of this issue need to work together on finding a happy medium. I am hoping you can both give insight to what you think is a good solution to the problem of food bans in school. It could be interesting to see what you have to say about it - not to provoke any negativity, but just to get insight. I hope you do not mind me asking you these questions. I just think on a forum, you get a more honest answer than if you ask a friend in person. So, I guess I am curious to know if you have a lunchroom plan that satisfies the allergy students, but makes everyone else happy. Once again, thank you for all your insight, as well as Bob (PA) and Jennifer (GA) who always contribute here.

New Jersey

Lori

Len

What brought me to this site, was a letter I received from my son's school stating that there was a child allergic to peanuts and all tree nut products. They asked us to even be careful about the foods we purchased to make sure they did not contain any peanut or nut by-products. I started doing some research to find out more about the allergy and came accross this site. In my research, I found that many cosmetics and hair products contain nut oils. Are all of these things to be banned too? While I do sympathize with the parents of the PA children I also have to stand up for the majority. Peanut free places are not a good answer or viable option! Education to all involved is including ALL students. This is something that child has to live with the rest of his or her life. There's no time like the present to prepare them for it. I am no stranger to a severe allergy. As I've said in a previous post, I am allergic to wasp and bee venom. Recent studies have shown far more people die from this type of allery than any nut allergy. I could choose to stay locked in my house and avoid all bees, not enjoying a normal life only to have that stray bee get in and sting me. I would have protected myself for what?

Michigan

Len

Lori

Thank you Lori for your post. Yes, many cosmetic products do contain nut products, and no, they should not be banned. I think, as you said, education is the key, as well as communication. If a child is using a shampoo with nut products, it would be great if this was communicated to the teacher as a precaution. I also hope your friends would tell you when you visited their home if they have seen any wasps flying around to protect you as well. We all need to look out for each other, and you are definately entitled to your opinions. I think they are valuable here and hope you visit frequently.

New Jersey

Dom

Peanut Products

I agree with you Len, I would not want cosmetic products banned because they may have peanut products...but, I would tell parents to be careful not to use any hand creams with peanut oils in them. These kids touch each other all day long. I don't think that is a lot to ask, do you Lori?

New York

Len

Dom

Dom, I was going to write that, but did not want to start any debates in this forum over it. It is valid and something to consider.

New Jersey

Lloyd

Wasp Allergies / Lori

For Lori What precautions do you take for your wasp allergy to protect yourself? Do you need to train your family on using an epi-pen?

Washington

Lori

Dom

I don't know of any real suitable handcreams for childern that contain peanut oil anyway. What is a lot to ask is to have every parent read all ingredients to make sure no nut oils are in the products that they buy. You know as well as I do, people just aren't going to do it if it doesn't affect them directly. The best thing to do is explain to the PA child what their condition is and teach them how to keep themselves safe. Kind of like teaching children why they cannot run out into a street. My three year old knows this is a very dangerous thing to do. As I said before, the best protection for these children is to educate them. I have also discussed the issues of the PA student at my 6 year olds school with him. I have made it very clear this is another reason to frequently wash his hands in addition to the obvious that he could have germs on them and become ill himself.

Michigan

Lori

Lloyd

The only precautions I take around bees and wasps is not to freighten them. Here in Michigan around this time of year, they can be quite bad as their food supply is running out and they are frequent visitors at picnics. I do not let the fear of this allergy control my life and I do not avoid places where these insects might be. No one, even myself has been specifically trained how to use the Epi Pen but the instructions are pretty explicit.

Michigan

Jennifer

Educating our children

If you ask almost every nut allergic parent they will tell you their child is educated. They will probably never take food from another child or adult unless their parent has okay'ed. And most parents of nut allergic children will never let their child have food that they haven't prepared themselves or read the label. Nut allergic children are very aware of their allergy. So why is a nut free environment still so important? Because many nut allergic children are contact and aersol reactive. Even if a child is not contact or aersol reactive, increased exposure can possibly lead to having those reactions.

Kennesaw, GA

Pam

Ok

I agree, education is the key, but education needs to work along with cooperation. As Lori stated, "You know as well as I do, people just aren't going to do it if it doesn't affect them directly." How sad, but true. The other sad part is she mentioned it is "a lot" of work to ask parents to read ingredients of every product. This is true, but why a new law was put into effect. The new law states all allergens in products must be clearly marked whether in bold, or a special location. This means it should not be too much work to look at most products. Keeping all kids safe is a team effort. We must work hand in hand, even if it becomes too much work. Yes, we teach our children not to run into the road, but if for some strange reason they do, we expect the traffic to stop.

Bronx, NY

ann

reply to bob

bob i feel sorry for your ignorance i hope you never have to worry about your child dying over something as simple as someone else's carelessness- and ignorance-COMPASSION IS A VIRTUE

new york

Belinda

School

My 5yr old son is about to start school and I have just found out that his school is not prepared in any way for a child with a nut allergy does anyone have any advice on the best way to educate the school on this matter?

Adelaide

Pam

Send them here

Belinda ...Send the school officials to this web site. It is a great start to learn about the peanut allergy.

Bronx, NY

Belinda

Pam-Thanks!

Pam thanks for the advise.I will do that. I Can't beleive that there are so many ignorant people who just don't seem to understand the real seriousness of this fatal allergy. Cheers!

Adelaide

Richard

Vacations

We just returned from vacationing at Walt Disney World. I wanted to share with everyone the email I just sent to WDW Guest Communications. Being parents of a child with life threatening anaphylactic food allergies has been a learning curve. The first thing we learned was that the only people who truly realize the severity of anaphylaxis are other parents of children with anaphylactic food allergies. The second part of the learning curve is that you must be good at asking questions when eating away from home and always be on alert for potential allergens. The third lesson is that vacations don’t have to be an extremely stressful time. This lesson is only learned after visiting a Walt Disney World Resort for the first time. After our son’s first visit to Walt Disney World, we quickly realized that Disney is one of the few corporations that truly accommodate the concerns of persons with anaphylactic food allergies. Today our family returned from our third consecutive vacation at Walt Disney World. We would like to share with you our family’s experiences during this past week. On Sunday September 11, 2006, we enjoyed dinner at Chef De France, on Monday September 12, 2006, we enjoyed dinner at Planet Hollywood, and on Wednesday September 14, 2006, we enjoyed dinner at L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant. Each time, the restaurant manager personally reviewed our son’s food allergies and made meal recommendations for our entire family. On Thursday September 15, 2006, we enjoyed dinner at Momma Melrose at Disney’s MGM theme park. While dinning at Momma Melrose’s, we were thrilled to have Chef Gary Miles personally make meal recommendations based on our son’s food allergies. On Friday September 15, 2006 we enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Chef Mickey’s. Again we were thrilled to have Gwenevere Gordon personally evaluate each item offered on the buffet. On Friday September 15, 2006 we decided to have dinner at the Pop Century food court. Chef Majoly Mohammad personally prepared a dinner that was free of any our son’s allergens. We want to personally thank each and every one of the aforementioned Disney Cast Members for making our vacation dining safe for our son. Additionally, each of the restaurants prepared custom made desserts for our son. To save the best for last, we enjoyed dinner at Tony’s Town Square on Tuesday September 13, 2006. Pasta is our son’s favorite meal, and Tony’s Town Square has always been our son’s favorite Disney Restaurant. During our visit, Chef Gina Greene made menu recommendations based on our son’s allergies. She sat down at our table and discussed our concerns and offered to personally prepare a custom meal for our son. Gina visited our table several times during our dinner to make sure Mason was thrilled with the “magic” of her meal. What made this visit so very special was Gina’s sincerity. There was a sparkle of sincere concern in her eye when she spoke to us. This sparkle of concern is one that a parent of a child with an anaphylactic allergy usually only experiences when looking into the eyes of another parent of a child with anaphylactic allergies. In addition to making us an excellent dessert of fresh strawberries and whipped crème, she made us feel at home. Chef Gina is truly the Magical part of Disney… she does make wishes come true! This experience has firmed our decision to make Disney World the destination for all future family vacations. We hope to see all of the same faces again next year. Sincerely,

Pennsylvania

Kathy Vizzoco

Disney

We went to Disney this summer and experienced similar success. They were more than accomadating to our child's nut allergy. The chef's came out to the tables at every establishment to assure us that all was safe. They even let us read the ingredients on the packages. Glad it worked out for you Richard. This is my first post here, but I have been visiting here every other day. Now I know why Richard has not posted here in a while. Missed your sense of humor, although it is warped at times:)

Minnesota, USA

Catherine

Richard

Thank you for your post Richard. We are planning a trip to Disney and a little nervous about the food. Reading your post made me feel better. I will let this community know if we had the same experience when we return.

Maine

Bob

Compassion

Compassion I have and comprimise. Like the ppl here fighting for their kids to be in a nut free school, I'm fighting for my child to lead a normal life that he can enjoy. I don't care if my child has to eat in a separate room and wash his hands after. My point is your children and yourselves need to become educated and aware of your environment to protect yourselves because it is not my entire responsibility to protect you or your child. Society is trying to help with the changes to snacks etc. but take responsibility for your own health and your childs without disrupting society...I don't expect you to look out for my own welfare.

North of Oshawa

Mike Eisenhart

Enough

After reading the typical responses here I am sure this won't go over well. But, I am tired of my child being subject to every child's problem, allergy or disability. If your child has a problem YOU deal with it: don't ask 50 other children to live with it.And yes,...I am FULLY educated on the ramifications of the allergy. But it is the principal of it all. What is next? Egg alergies? Milk, latex? All of these have the same severity. I have a serious problem when 1 out of 300 kids dictates what I can give my child for lunch. No: it doesn't take a "village" to raise a child. It takes two parents who are involved and aware of their child's needs. I don't want my child to be held back by your child's disability. I will happily defend my opinion here so feel free to disagree.

Seattle

bob

allergy

I agree. Peanut free means peanut free. The cafeteria should also be wheat free, milk free, soy free, egg free, shellfish free and tree nut free.Also during the summer schools with no airconditioning should not be allowed to have their windows open due to those who are allergic to insects. We should also consider getting rid of recess, many children have exercise induced asthma which can kill them.We don't want any of the above children to feel left out. We need a safe environment for all children. Schools should not just be peanut free.

united states

Jennifer

Mike & Bob

So what would you like me to do with my peanut allergic child? Just curious.

Kennesaw, GA

Pete C.

Mike

Mike, where is your compassion. Sounds to me like you don't care if a child dies in the school lunchroom. I know that is not what you said, but if the educators took your approach, this would happen.

South Carolina

CA

MIKE EISENHART

You are really an idiot. How can someone like you really even be allowed into this web site. You are an ignorant,selfish human being. Someone like you needs to live in our shoes for one day and realize what it is like for us. I bet your children are much more compassionate about this subject. You said you are educated about the peanut allergy so you are also a liar. If you were educated about this those stupid comments would have never made it to this page.

PA

Vanessa

Peanuts

Peanut free is no peanut product or ingredients. Knowing and researching ingredients in products all the possible ways to cross contaminate or expose a peanut allergy is enough to eliminate and create a safe environment for children. Considering the number of preventable mortalities of innocent children, this is enough for legistlation to regulate and create safe environments.

Virginia

Lorie

A Peanut Free Environment

It is impossible to eliminate Peanut Butter all together unless it is banned from people's diets and treated like a poison. I believe banning peanut lunches from schools is creating a false sense of security because you just can't monitor an entire school 100% of the time. Tree nuts and peanuts are put in so many foods that this allergy is almost impossible to control. I know this because I have a severe allergy to tree nuts and they are hidden in so many foods, lotions, drinks, trees, etc. It's a monster and an allergic person extremely careful (a matter of life and death). I had to be educated at a very early age to be responsible and watch what I ate. I did because I knew what would happen if I didn't. Education and precautions like having epi pens at schools, etc. are all you can really do. However, banning is impossible unless is it eliminated from the American diet all together. Not to mention the fact that then you open up a real big can of worms. Where does a school system stop? Do you ban milk products, seafood, wheat products,etc.? Those allergies can be severe too. Where do you draw the line?

North Carolina

elaine

peanut free

I sympathize with children with peanut allergies, but if you made an entire lunchroom peanut free, then you would have to make the building perfume, fre, milk free, wheat free, bee free, etc.

michigan

Mary

Peanut/ Nut Products Should not be allowed in Schools

This is a difficult for many get, but we should try to create peanut safe schools. Children need to be safe and unfortunately one mistake is too many for an allergic child. Children cannot advocate for themselves and often cannot remove themselves from an unsafe situation. An adult who finds themself in a dangerous situation has the option of leaving. The adult dealing with the child may not have a true understanding of how traces of nuts can kill an allergic child so guidlines should be put in place in schools for teachers to follow and to enforce. Many say education is key but what about very young children? Education takes time and learning is often a slow process. Allergic chilren cannot endure mistakes and errors that come with learning. I think we should all try to be tolorant of one another and if we can do a small thing to make the world safer for another then we should just do it.

Toronto Canada

Lorie

Peanut Free Schools

I know that allergic children cannot afford one mistake when it comes to coming in contact with the allergen, however, removing the allergen altogether from the school is not the answer. If that was the case, where does society stop? We as a society couldn't stop with just peanut and treenuts. We would also have to rid of milk products, wheat products, etc. because those allergies are just as severe. Educating the child and more importantly the adults around the child is all we can do. I grew up with a severe tree nut allergy at a time when there wasn't a lot known about it. It can be done. The adults need to be vigilant and know and the schools need a emergency procedure in place to protect the children. An environment can never be 100% free of an allergen unless we wipe it out from the world altogether. All my emergency room visits as a child (3 in all). One almost deadly were not in my school and they all involved foods or other items where treenuts were unlikely to be in the item. Too much attention is being brought to the schools.

North Carolina

Elenor

Severity of Allergies

Correct me if I am wrong as I do not know a lot about food allergies. Isn't the reason why peanut/nut allergies are being discussed and the suggestion of peanut safe schools being made is that exposure to very small amounts can often be very dangerous. Is this the same for other food allergies where traces of the allergen can often cause such a severe reaction so quickly? Sorry if I offend anyone. Just asking?

Canada

Meg

For Lorie

Lorie, no disrespect. Look at your line, "If that was the case, where does society stop?" School is not society, but a safe haven for children. We try harder, and expect it to be safer in schools than society. Yes, we need to prepare the children for the real world, but learning on the job with a peanut allergy is like playing with a loaded gun. I just want to take away the bullets! We don't expect real world situations to occur in school. If this was the case, everyone would be home schooled.

Oregon

Lorie

For Meg

Peanut and treenut allergies are not the only severe food allergies in this world. This is coming from a person who has a severe treenut allergy herself. Unless, you grow up with it you have no idea how scary it is. It is ignorant to believe that you can make any place 100% allergen free no matter the allergen. Just when you put your guard down that is when you wind up in the emergency room. I know because I almost died as a result. There is just no way to guarantee an allergen free environment unless the allergen is wiped out completely from the world. The only alternatives are education for the children and adults around the children so an emergency situation does not arise. Ex. How to clean up an area? And if one does, emergency procedures to give that child immediate attention. Trust me if I thought it was possible to make any place 100% treenut free I would but it is not.

North Carolina

Cara

peanut

While the majority are parents whom have children w/allergies, is it fair to the otherr 98% of the kids who do not? If it's so bad, and it is, then why don't the parents just hire a nanny to stay at their clean home? See, this is a great idea, but would interfer in development of the child. What do you think this rule on peanuts is doing to the other kids. Although a poir thing to have, it's shouldn't be to the detriment of everyone.

Massachusetts

Withheld

NEED AN ANSWER

Hey all the PA parents. It's okay to be different, and I would tell any child that they are different that is why it would be okay to find a special school for this special need. Worried about socializing them, don't be, plenty of outside school activities exist. All of which do not include a snack, a lunch, etc. This is the first disability I have ever seen where the entire population revolves around the problem. It is really quite astounding at the involvement every person has in this. From the grocery shopping, to the snacks, to the lunch, to the clean your hands, clean every surface, blah, blah, blah. Exhausting really. Funny how the PA's are so tired of their own disability they want us to take it all on too. One person even insists that they have to check and re-check every label. Well, guess what honey, we do that now too.....and it is no fun. Don't worry about the social part of your lives. We all discuss it behind your backs....and it ain't pretty what is said. Just because we are tired of dealing with all this doesn't mean we don't care about the health of your child. We all do, we just think it is an impossibility for the other 1500 students to revolve around you. Our school fund raiser has been squashed b/c of the PA, the school snacks were removed because of the PA. Birthday parties were either totally monitored for the offending ingrediants or nixed altogether. Most of us just gave up trying to do anything in the classroom. Dont' worry, we have not forgotten the peanut ban. We ALL TALK ABOUT THE PEANUT BAN -- BELIEVE ME, WE TALK. Don't just assume it's because we don't care. We all do care, we just don't think what you are asking is possible and we don't think it is appropriate for every family to be put upon by this...sorry -- As stated above -- it's not just one lunch, it's 7500 lunches a week. You are the one lunch. Here is the answer....HOMESCHOOL, HOMESCHOOL, HOMESCHOOL, SPECIAL SCHOOL, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL, HOME SCHOOL, HOME SCHOOL, SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.....For some reason, you don't think the special schools are good enough for your PA kid, well, many times they are superior. What, you think an ADD kid or dyslexic, or diabetic, or other isn't as good as your kid? Come on. Homeschooling isn't a choice either? -- you should try it. It takes a lot of work and committment, but it would be worth it to keep your child safe. How about putting all that energy you have fighting the PTL, and educate your child at home? What, you may have to make sacrafice in your life, like one parent stay home, but that is what you do....you make sacrafices, you make adjustments, you don't ask the entire population to revolve around you......

TEXAS

Jersey Girl

Respect

Why is it if someone voices an opinion against peanut free then they are ignorant and uncompassionate? I hope all the parents that are so passionate about peanut free schools are just as passionate and politically active about gun control, anti-abortion, and anti-war since these things also kill children. All parents have fears for their children and no parent can control everything their child encounter's in this world. We can disagree and can do so respectfully.

New Jersey

Claudia

Jersey Girl

Hey Jersey Girl, I will answer your question. You wrote: Why is it if someone voices an opinion against peanut free then they are ignorant and uncompassionate? The answer, look at the 2 posts right before yours.

New York

Joseph

My fellow Texan

You have an extreme attitude towards PA. Although I appreciate your honesty, you are insensitive and you discriminate. You seem to lump all PA parents/families in one category, and that is unfair. As a PA parent, I do not want a peanut free school. I am just happy with peanut free tables in the lunchroom. My 8th grader knows how to take care of himself. If he was younger, I would be a little more concerned. Your writings show much anger, an anger which worries other parents. It is your attitude that makes me rethink how I feel about certain things pertaining to the schools. Why such anger? Did you ever try to work with the schools on a good solution to your issues with PA, or do you just complain 24/7. Make a contribution here, not enemies. Peace.

Dallas, Texas

Katrina

Peanut Free

Our schools are as well peanut free and there are mixed feelings over this issue. I am in the medical field and so i know what an allerigic reaction will and can do but here is my arguement, what about deadly bee stings are we gonna stop having recess because one or two kids are allegic to them? and what about milk allergies..are schools gonna stop serving milk and milk products because a few kids have these allergies? I mean stop and think about it, we are letting ourselves and the schools discriminate towards those who aren't allergic and if you live in a small community like i do then everyone knows who has the allergy and so they are singled out as well.

Sabattus,Maine

Violet

nonsense

It's a bunch of nonsense attitude back and forth. The severity of allergies (all allergies) is real. If your not sure call a pediatric allergist and make an appointment for a consultation. We too returned from Disney. If only everyone could be so accomodating or understanding. Though, maybe manufacturers should have separate nut facilities so they can stop infecting otherwise safe foods. Anyway - education is the key. We're not always going to get understanding. But why does everyone have to be hateful? I have two boys with no allergies that understand a lot more than the adults in this forum. We all love our children, why not talk to them about how they feel about nut-free. They probably won't care.

Virginia

Sean

Violet

Violet made some very good points. Most kids are more accomadating than adults. Most of the time, it is the adult making the problems. The children seem to get acclimated to situations quite easily. Many of the peanut allergic parents seem to have to go on the defensive here. That is the main battle, not the nuts themselves. The parents of the peanut allergic children will educate their children and everyone around them. They teach them to take responsibility for themselves, and what they eat or touch. It is these 'hateful' parents here that are causing many of the problems. Stop comparing bee allegies, milk allergies etc. to peanut allergies. They are all terrible and deserve the proper attention.

LA, California

Lynch

peanuts

Absolutely zero tolerance for peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil, and any products that have the peanut warning label on the wrappers.

Hawaii

Florence G.

Thank you

My child was just diagnosed with this terrible allergy. I just stumbled across this web site and wanted to thank whoever is responsible for it. It has helped our family so much teach everyone around us about the allergy. So, a big THANKS. I have read many of the negative posts here from others. I used to be the person so against the peanut free lunchroom. We'll, my opinion has changed. I did not think I would ever change, but something happens to you when it is your child with the nut allergy. You want to protect them. I am sorry I did not realize this before.

Utah, USA

Lynn

Oh Please

Why do people continue to make the comparison of all the other allergies? Let's put the diabetic thing down right now -- no one else has to refram from sugar and can eat whatever they want. It's NUTS that everyone has to give up and change their lives for......get it? In other words, other allergies that might affect people or disabilities; everyone else can live their lives as they always have. For some reason, these PA folks think we should all cater to their needs.......Nothing else is like this. The blind don't ask us to all wear blind folds, the deaf don't want us to cover our ears, diabetics, can sit right there and watch us eat whatever we want. The percentage is so small of those that have PA, but throngs of people have to accomadate them.

USA

Withheld

Home School

For what it's worth, Homeschooled children are shown to perform better on standardized tests, social achievement and selected skills. It is a huge community of people that choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons. If you put 1/10th of the energy you are putting into fighting this, you will do yourself and everyone else a favor and educate your child at home.

Texas

Withheld

Lynn and Texas

Hey Lynn and Texas, get a life. I came here just to research this allergy for a project. No family members with the allergy, but wanted to learn more about it. We know that peanuts in the lunchroom can kill. It can be transmitted through touch or smell of peanut dust. No other food allergy can cause a problem this way other than nuts. That is why it is a concern. I don't want to hear about your wasp or bee allergy, or the diabetic, or milk allergy. They are sad to have, but not transmitted / dangerous through smell or touch. Texas, if you like home schooling that much, pull YOUR child out of school for it. The nerve of you to continue to suggest that to the PA parents. Who made you Queen. I have been reading this page for weeks, and promised myself not to post here, but I am getting tired of some of the bullies here, especially Miss Texas.

Delaware, USA

No Name

Len

Len: I'm back after being away from this site for sometime. It raised my blood pressure everytime I visited, so I took a break. The biggest problem we have had is that the school decided to go totally nut free instead of a safe area for the allergy students to sit in. This has really caused some issues as it is a private school and families are paying in the thousands for their education. Peanuts are shown to increase brain function and also mental alertness. They have special elements that are essential to a developing mind. In addition, bodies at play burn a lot of calories and require huge protien capacity in a small cavity of a child. Lastly, not everyone eats meat at this school. They don't make any special demands for their own views, they just don't eat meat. Also, we have a few children that are here on scholarship and really, really can not afford meat products in their lunches. It is a huge inconvenience for all the parents to try to read all the labels and change their whole way of life. That said -- the parents of the PA kids have been less than "fun" to work with. We find them intolerable at times. They constantly come up with new things we can't do because their child might be affected. They have created a lot of drama around everything. They make special calls to the parent who's child is having a birthday and insist that we use their recipe for cupcakes. Stuff like that -- it is really irratating. All that said, I've seen a lot of posts for home school in Texas. And yes, Texas has a huge, huge commuity of homeschooling, but I'm not sure of the other states, so I see why these may not seem like an alternative for some. It just seems that there should be a better way for the child with the allergy to get an education without altering the lives of so many.

Texas

Sam

Delaware

Delaware: I understand your points, but the person from Texas always seems to put peanut allergic parents on the defensive (and even some w/out the allergy). He/she is angry over this, and entitled to her/his opinion. It is just the way he/she writes it in such a condescending way. I would have more respect for Texas if he/she gave more supporting comments, and possible solutions to various issues instead of always insulting. I want to be able to work with people like this, and not fight with them. There are always going to be some that will never understand this allergy. Let’s all try working this out together without the name-calling or negative remarks.

New York

Len

Web Site

Okay, sorry for not writing here in a while. I try to stay clear of most issues, and just read to learn. You people are all great, with such fun, entertaining, and educated posts. I have been trying to keep the web site current. I try to put recent articles for the week on the home page (just put another news clip on a minute ago), as well as trying to add new features, like the peanut poll. If there is anything else you would like to see on the web page, please shoot me an email using the link to the left. I enjoyed reading Florences post about changing her views on the allergy when her child was diagnosed with it. It is interesting to see what happens when the allergy attacks your child. And, my friend from Texas (no name), keep posting here. Lots to learn from you. I feel bad no compromise was worked out at your child's school. Did anything dangerous happen in the lunchroom that triggered all of this? The one thing I want you to understand is that you cannot lump all the PA parents together. There are many PA parents who are also against any peanut bans. They feel if there is any peanut ban, they will lose complete support from the entire community. There are some who prefer peanut bans. But, like yourself, are entitled to their opinion. Is there any right or wrong answer? I don't think so. The answer to me is 1. educate and 2. compromise Without the two, this battle will go on forever.

New Jersey

John

Thanks Len

Len, I take it you run this web site. Just wanted to say thank you. I read it with interest often, and enjoy the news updates and this forum. Thanks for bringing awareness to the issue at hand. -John

Nashua, NH USA

Len

Upgrade to site

I did some upgrades to the site tonight, and some material was lost, including some of your posts. I apologize if any posts were accidently deleted. If I can recover them, I will put them back up. John, thank you for your kind words. Have a good weekend everyone.

New Jersey

Rita

Looks Good

This site looks great. Thank you for such a great resource. Learned a lot here.

New Jersey

Carol Evans-Sylvester

Ignorance is bliss

I have to commend all of us that are dealing with the actual problem with having such a serious potentially life threaghtening illness and then having to explain your self to people who may or may not know or care what we are up against i have 3 children the two older boys do not have peanut allergies . ages( 18 and 22 ) But my young daughter age 2yrs. and 11 months does What an eye opener this has been to me. Peanuts are something we could all live better without! But because of the economic factor I doubt they would be taken out of society(as they should) Hand cleaner used at every person's entrance to the home seems to help a bit.I wonder about awareness of possible peanut allergy schools (those attending would certainly not be upset over being inconvenienced of no peanutbutter etc. Afterall it would save a lot of explaining to others that simply have not faced the peanut allergy.

MASSACHUSETTS

Jennifer

All peanut parents being lumped together

I had to step away from this site for awhile. It breaks my heart that my son will have to deal with people who are vehement that he needs to be pigeonholed. I am trying to be understanding of why many people think they are having to make the ultimate sacrifice to give up peanuts. I have been told (by previous posters) to send my child to a school that is designed for special education. Why do you think those parents would be any different from you? Those schools are designed to deal with learning disabilites, not for children who have nut allergies. It has been suggested that I homeschool. Fine. Guess what? To make up for the lack of socialization my child will receive from homeschooling I will be enrolling him in lots of activities. How will you feel when I say all sporting events need to be nut free, right down to what they offer at the concession stand! I will be going after church programs and scouts also. Maybe you should listen to what I'm asking for. I would like a nut free classroom - room only, not the entire school. I don't have a problem with "may-contains" or "processed ons" for your child in my son's class. Why? Because he will know that he CANNOT have food that I have not provided for him. I also want a table or an end of a table that is nut free. I will be sending my child to school with full knowledge of his allergy (hopefully not traumatizing him with the fact that his allergy is deadly). I will also be educating those around him. I don't think I'm asking for the world - just for my child to be safe in this world!

Kennesaw, GA

Lynn

Peanut Free Lunchroom

I have been allergic to peanuts for over 50 years. I was hospitalized at least 15 times between 1st grade and age 25 for peanut "accidents" as described by the fears of parents in this forum. Several times it was iffy if I was going to make it. I learned by trial and error back then -I was the only one anyone knew who had a peanut allergy and most people, even grown ups, did not take it seriously. Today's increased awareness and better food labeling means kids should not have to suffer this way - or die. For those of you who have peanut allergy children, I feel your pain and fear, and my heart goes out to you. Your kids are probably equally as petrified as I was to even eat anywhere but at home. I wish you the best in trying to keep them safe, happy, and free of the pain inflicted by others who are ignorant about this allergy none of us chose to have. For those of you who are too selfish and cruel to keep the peanuts out of public places, "May what goes around, come around to you someday".

Pennsylvania

Pamela Jemas

The Problem

As Len said earlier, and Jennifer brought up, you cannot lump all the peanut parents together. Some of the non PA parents coming here are picking fights with the wrong people. Just because they had a battle in their area, they tend to carry on those feelings here, with PA people who maybe do not want a peanut free environment. This site is an educational site, not a battle ground. Keep your fights local and away from here. I truly get upset reading some of the negative comments here about PA. They are unfair. The woman from Texas should take a step back and rethink her words here. They are truly hurtful and unfair to post here. Just my 2 cents.

Utah, USA

Jen

Peanut Free?

I think it is wrong to create an environment where children with peanut allergies THINK they are safe. What happens when a parent packs something in their child's lunchbag that has peanuts and/or peanut oil but they didn't know it. As a parent that doesn't have to worry about peanut-free products, I do not look as diligently at the labels because I don't have to. If something slips past without my knowledge it will enter a school where children think they are safe. That thought of being safe means they themselves will be less cautious and diligent. These children think they can share their food now but who knows if it is safe. I think children must be taught how to protect themselves.

Canada

Renee

no nuts!

Our son has a table in the cafeteria. It works great so far...working on getting them to take the pb&j sandwich off the menu. no need for it. If a child needs to eat pb at school, they can pack it from home. This is a life threatening thing, not just an annoyance.

Falmouth

Kat

Peanut free for now

I have a one-year old and I have been learning more and more about rules and regulations at schools. When I first heard about schools in my area being completely peanut-free, I was outraged. I could not understand why the majority of children and parents had to change their ways to accommodate the few that are allergic. But the more I think about how the parents of an allergic child must feel, I am starting to understand why these regulations are necessary. I still can't say I agree with it completely, but I suppose until a better solution is found, having a peanut-free environment is the least potentially harmful. What I would like to know, however, is why do we suddenly have so many peanut allergies? When I was in school in the 70's, peanut butter was in just about every student's lunchbox. And there were no allergies to speak of (at least I do not remember seeing any children have a reaction). So, as a temporary solution, perhaps asking parents to ensure that their children do not bring any peanut-containing products to school is not the end of the world, but I would like to see some research being conducted to determine why this has become such a big problem in recent years. Is it reduced immunity? The way that peanuts are grown? Have we selected for peanut cultivars that produce more allergens? It would be interesting to find out the source of the allergy and work to prevent the problem if possible. However, until then, I don't mind making a sacrifice for the sake of children who cannot watch out for themselves.

Ontario

Kim

For Kat

Kat: Here is an interesting article about your question, why do so many children have allergies.....http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_2_33/ai_97177917/pg_3

Canada

Jennifer

My theories on increased peanut allergies...

There are several theories out there as to why food allergies are on the increase. Our world is too clean. Know all those antibacterial soaps and lotions, well they have made our world so clean that our immune system has nothing to fight. So instead it goes after food proteins instead. Soy has been linked to peanut allergies as well (they recommend avoiding soy formula, if possible because it could lead to peanut allergies). Soy could be a wonderful thing but in their quest to build a better soybean by genetically modification, they may have caused irreperable damage. Some also believe it's due to the change in how they process the peanuts now. Maybe they are totally off the mark, but the fact is, peanut and nut allergies are on the rise. They are in the process of designing "a fix" for the problem. At best though, it might mean peanut/nut allergic folks will be able to eat "may contains." I'm not sure I want my child to experiment with that though. Think about it, the allergy is probably attributed to building a better world...what could the immunization lead to? Having a peanut/nut allergy is pretty devastating as is, what if the solution made something else worse?

Kennesaw, GA

Gerdy

Great insight

Great insight Jennifer. I found your post very informative and interesting. Thank you.

Connecticut, USA

Gerry C.

Welcome

Greetings everyone. Just stumbled upon this web site from Rhode Island, USA. What a great group of people here. I am a 76 year old Grandpa with a Grandson with this allergy. Thanks for all the great lessons here. I will be back soon. I hope they find a cure for this damn allergy!

Rhode Island, USA

Liz Baxtor

Peanut Free

To me, peanut free means no peanuts at all. There are still reports that peanut dust is a threat, so I say no peanuts. That is why this allergy is different than other food allergies. I also believe there should be special milk free and wheat free tables in a school lunchroom as well. If a child has a wasp / bee allergy, those children should have the option to play inside if they'd like. We need to protect all children, not just the peanut allergic children.

UK

Katrina

my dream-peanut free schools

Peanut free means peanut FREE. No peanuts! My son would have started Kindergarten this year but because there is no guarantee of his safety, he is being homeschooled. He is so outgoing and loves to be around other people but cannot because of his allergy. He has an inhalant, touch, and ingested peanut allergy. He cannot help how he was born, lunch is just one meal, why can't these kids just have their PB&J in the evenings or weekends? I have had to give up Peanut butter forever, they can at least have it when they get home. It is like switching to school uniforms; no onelikes it at first but everyone gets used to it and gets over it. The same can be done w/peanut butter. 3 million people in this country are allergic to this. every child has a right to safety in school

Maryland

Kerri

Work it out

We formed a committee in our school to find a happy medium. Half the lunchroom is peanut free, and it seems to work. Everyone who cared had a say, we all acted civilized, and it has been working well.

Vermont

Peter Ropoli

Group organization

What a great concept Kerri. Having everyone sit down and reach a mutual agreement is a great idea. Everyone gets to voice their opinion on the issue and finds a 'happy medium' as you suggested. This should most people happy, I would hope!

Georgia

Janette G.

Peanut free is definitely the way to go!!!

Our schools here are 100% peanut free, and I wouldn't have it any other way! No, I don't have a child who is allergic to peanuts, but a couple of my son's best friends are. The consequence of these children being in contact with peanuts can be death. It's just not worth the selfishness of a few to bring peanuts near these children now, is it?!

Waterloo, Ontario

Janette again...

Same

BTW, having only part of a school peanut free doesn't it make it safe either. The peanut oil residue that is left on the fingers can be transferred to desks, tables, chairs and other surfaces. It has been proven to stay on those surfaces for up to 6 months.

Waterloo, ON

David

Att: Janette

Janette: It is nice to see someone without the peanut allegies be so supportive and understanding. Thank you very much. BTW, I very close to the Canadian border, so I guess we are neighbors.

Maine

Florence B

Peanut Free

Peanut free should mean no peanuts at all. It is one meal a day, please understand. It may save a life one day.

Delaware

Teresa

Peanut Free

Peanut free seems to be the way to go. If it can cause a problem if airborne, then no peanuts should be allowed. These children have every right to an education, so all those visitors here that told them to home school, you are not fair. No child left behind.....

Kentucky, USA

Lori, Abby & Bella

keep on fighting!!

like every other minority group in our "free" country I believe that peanut allergic children (such as my two) need to be protected until they can be trusted to make wise choices later on. How many must be traumatized, scared or die for people to understand! What it all boils down to is FOOD. yes we are the fattest country, no, we as americans cannot stay on diets. Just look at all the weight loss remedies available to us! Nobody wants someone elses kid to force them to NOT have what they want! Most americans get what they want when they want it. sad but true, they are selfish...and mostly undeserving. on a more positive note...i was a part of a great private school last year and tried hard to educate everyone about the dangers peanuts posed to my child. I had one other mother who supported my thinking and crusade. now...this wonderful school is peanut free because 7-9% of the students attending have a peanut allergy! hello folks...it is on the rise. i commend them at this school...and to anyone who is willing to take a proactive step in protecting these sweet children. someday these kids will fully understand how serious their allergy is and can be trusted to take care of themselves. until then...we are responsable...all of us peanut allergy or not.

St louis, Missouri

Petras

Substitutes

For those complaining about not being able to give their children pb & j, I tried cream cheese and jelly. My kids love it.

Florida, USA

Lori, Abby & Bella

creativity

i wanted to comment on petras woderful post about cream cheese with jelly. you are right on and creative! really the issue here clearly does not lie with the children in the lunch room... it is with the parents not wanting to be told what to do or not wanting to be creative with lunch ideas. most children want to follow rules and wish to be protected while in school. if the parents would get educated, informed and just a tad bit creative at the grocery store (um...last i checked there are more snack and lunch items than we could ever dream of eating) we can all live in harmony!

st louis

John

I agree

I agree with Lori, Abby & Bella (that's a lot of names). I feel most of the time, it is the parents who do not like being told what to do. In most cases, the children are more flexible.

New York

John Cheney

Peanut Free

I do feel bad that many families need to adjust their lunch schedules due to other children with peanut allergies. If your child is not allergic, I understand that you feel like it is not your issue to deal with. I plea with all of you to be sensitive. Try to make it safe for my Grandchild. I have gotten rid of all peanut products in my house. I love peanuts, but no more. I love my Grandson too much to attempt to eat it at all. This is everyday, every meal. I like to creamcheese and jelly idea as well. Also, a big kudos to the web master here for keeping this web site current. I like the new articles posted here everyday.

Omaha, Nebraska USA

Laura

Peanut & Nut Free

My son and I both have a deadly anaphylaxis allergy to peanuts and nuts. Our allergy is airborne! Therefore, we can be in the same room with someone who has eaten something with peanuts and/or nuts earlier in the day and we will go into anaphylactic shock. I have had to take my son out of the Public School System and start Home Schooling him because the Public Schools do not take food allergies serious enough! Even though my son almost died at his Elementary School due to a severe anaphylactic reaction from a little girl in his classroom eating a peanut butter cracker 4 hours prior, to coming into contact with my son in music class. I believe if there are any children with a peanut and/or nut allergy in a school, the entire school should be "PEANUT & NUT FREE!" These are the reasons why... 1. This is due to the fact that children don't wash their hands well and there is always a chance of cross contamination! 2. Peanut & Nut Allergies tend to be airborne. 3. Peanut & Nut Allergies tend to get worse not better. Therefore, with each reaction getting worse you do not know if you will survive your next reaction. (Even with a Epi-Pen and Benadryl) You could be in the middle of the Emergency Room and still might not survive your next reaction! 4. The Key to Living and Surviving with a "Peanut & Nut" Anaphylaxis Allergy is "STRICT AVOIDANCE!!!" "THEREFORE, ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD BE PEANUT & NUT FREE!"

Tennessee

Joe

For Laura

Lots of luck Laura. It is sad you both have the allergy, but your child will have the best teacher (you) in the world. I bet you have so much to share with your son. All the best.

Oklahoma, United States

Mary Greenspan

Peanut Free

Our school is peanut and nut free. We have had opporuntites to eduacte the teachers, staff parents and children. When people were provided with the reasons for a peanut aware environment and got a chance to ask questions everyone was in favour of helping. We made sure that everyone understood this is not a guarantee rather a way to minimize the risk. having a peanut free room only reduces the risk if all desks and surfaces are cleaned in the classrooms where peanuts and nuts are eaten.

Kingston, Ontario

Millea

Peanut Free

This forum has been very interesting. I have been reading it for weeks, but never commented. Thank you to everyone so far who has posted. I am writing an article for a local paper, and this forum gave me all the answers I needed. At fisrt, quite honestly, I was against this whole peanut free situation. Reading here has helped me realize why it is important to protect the children with these allergies. I do not understand much of the anger from the non PA parents. It does seem that the problem is not with the children complaining, but the parents being told what to do. Just my opinion.

Canada

sue

so you think its acceptable to ask the school not to serve peanut products

you cant control the world but we can reduce the risk and make it more controlable do you think its ok to ask of the schools not to serve peanut products,although you cant stop every household from sending PP&J at least we would only have a handful of children rather than the whole cafeteria (( this I believe would be more controlable.))

NH

Amber

Nut free?

Peanut free means the peanuts and their products must be totally eliminated from the area in order to make it safe for nut-allergic individuals.

Australia

Sue

Peanut-Free - is it really safe anyway??

Personally, I think having a peanut free table is much more safer then peanut free. I can not imagine every family adhering to peanut/nut free allergies all the time and an entire peanut free zone would lax much sooner then a peanut free table. There are so many foods that have "may have trace amount of nuts" I can not imagine every person checking every label in their house prior to packing a lunch. Maybe moms would try but just think of some clueless dads out there running around with the kids in the morning and pops some food in the lunchbox. Can it be guaranteed safe. No. would you want your child sitting next to that kid at lunch. No way! What if someone brings something homeade to school and forgets there was small amounts of peanuts in it. I rather my daughter at a table with other peanut free kids. Also, my daughters school has purell pumps in every room and the kids squirt some before and after lunch. This also helps to prevent spreading of germs. Personally, if my daughter's allergy was airborne, I would never ever send her to public school, peanut free or not. I do not think it is worth it. There is always going to be errors, nothing is perfect and allowing schools to go peanut free, I personally think would increase allergic reactions as everyone has their guard down.

Maryland

Sue

Peanut-free breakfasts?

One more quick thing. Do you all also expect everyone to not eat any peanuts at breakfast? Rarely do kids wash their hands after breakfast and many eat while in the car on the way to school or even a quick cereal bar at the bus stop. How would you control that at a peanut free school. Wouldn't kids still have the protein on their hands as school is starting?

Maryland

Pat

Correct Words

Sue is correct. The bottom line is to educate, and take every precautionary measure possible. For some, a peanut free school works well, for others, a peanut free section works better. Its all a matter of opinion and school policy.

New York

Sue

peanut free

My point exactly i cant exspect everyone in the world to go peanut free but what i can do is exspect the school to not to serve nut products or peanut butter sandwiches that would increase the risk of exsposer Like i said before you have a cafeteria full of 100 kids i'd rather see the 10-15 kids bring the peanutbutter from home rather than have a 100 kids in the cafeteria being served that trigger from our school that day. I think this is more controlable we watch them 10-15 kids rather than worry about all 100. you would think schools would be quick to adhere to this seeing its such a liability.This way we are not telling our students not to bring PP&J Yet the school is taken every action to control and reduce the risk. reduces the liability.

NH

John

Peanut Free

All should be done to make the schools safe. This means cutting out the obvious foods like pb and j. Yes, people will try to sneak foods in, but we must do our best to stop the visually dangerous foods.

South Africa

Carmine

No Peanuts

Peanut free to me is 'no peanuts.' As John stated, keep the obvious foods out of the school. Protect all children.

New York

christine

high school and allergies

My kids are, thankfully, not allergic to nuts. Throughout elementary school, peanut bans have been imposed. Not only did the few kids who were allergic have to eat in a separate lunch room, but the remaining 99% of the school population was still not allowed to bring any peanut products at all. Go figure. My daughter, now in her second year of high school, has enjoyed a year of being able to bring peanut products to school. She tells me, however, that the same kids who were at her elementary school have started high school, and that the administration is reinstituting the ban. If I were a parent of a 14 year old with a nut allergy, I'd think that was about the time for a "big boy/big girl bed" and that they could learn to oh, I don't know, take responsibility for their allergies. Question: Do kids with peanut allergies NOT go to malls, use doorknobs to open doors, hold onto railings, read magazines at dentists' offices, accept change from cashiers? Give me a break!

Ontario, Canada

Sue

peanut free lunch

Does anyone really believe the visitor from Mississippi has three PA children yet opposes peanut-free lunches because some parents only know how to make PB & J? I'm not buying that this person actually has food allergic children.

Michigan

Kathy Reed

For Catherine

Catherine, your sarcasm is not welcome here. There are ways to get your message across without being so insensitive. Your opinion is important here, as you can educate your feelings on the topic in a mature manner. Your comment, -I'd think that was about the time for a "big boy/big girl bed" and that they could learn to oh, I don't know, take responsibility for their allergies.- was uncalled for!

California

christine

for kathy reed

The name's Christine. Yes, I was being sarcastic. I don't know how else to get my point across. Seriously, answer my question: do peanut allergic kids (especially those who are in high school, for the love of god)never go to public places? Do they handle change? Do they open doors? Do they read magazines at doctor's offices? Are they not potentially exposed to peanuts at every turn? We carry on this abolishment of all things nutty even into high school? When, tell me when, do they start being responsible for their own health? Good grief.

ontario, canada

Kathy Reed

For Christine

Sorry for the name error. I cannot answer your question since my children are both very young. I would like to think they will be able to handle themselves by high school, and know how to protect themselves. The PA parents try to educate their children as best as the can, and try to create a safe environment for them wherever they go. I personally don't believe in having the whole world change for my children, but would like those around my children to help make it as safe as possible. I think if you have issues with PA parents at your children's high school, you need to address these issues directly with them. I cannot answer for them.

California

John

For Christine

Christine. I understand your frustration. I think it is not fair you take your issues and sarcasm up here. The people on this forum who have children with PA never did anything to you directly. Some may even agree with you. I just think there is a better way to voice your opinion than the method in which you communicated. Just my 2 cents.

Miami Florida

Jennifer

Christine

I wanted to reply to your question and possibly give you food for thought. As the mother of a peanut allergic child, we do go out. I don't know what the situation is with those children, but if they are contact or airborne reactive to nut protein, then having pb in school is a personal nightmare. Yes, our daily life is limited by our peanut allergy as well. Here are some examples: We do go to the mall, but we avoid the food court area as there are a variety of shops that use peanut oil or nuts. It's not just about avoiding those foods, it's about avoiding the proteins in the air as they can be just as reactive. Grocery shopping is usually okay, BUT for some reason, nut containing samples are on the rise. Many of these sample ladies have not heard of food allergies, at least not those that can produce anaphylaxis so they don't understand why shoving free samples in your face is so dangerous. Plus then you start thinking about all the other kids that ate before you in the cart. So before my son can get in a cart, everything he could possibly touch has been Clorox'ed. It's also becoming an issue because these well meaning people try to give the food to him, assuming I will say yes. I feel like the "Parent of the Year" when I yank food out of his face and firmly say NO. The look on his face lately? Yes, for certain people who are extremely contact reactive, library books and doctor's magazines are off limits. Door handles are touched only with wipes also - especially in mall food courts. Baseball games, circuses, flying on most airlines, etc are all events that are severely restricted. We aren't crazy, we aren't OCD, we aren't trying to make your life a nightmare - we just want to keep our children safe.

Kennesaw, GA

Lori Falls

Thank you Jennifer

As usual, Jennifer puts everything properly in perspective. I always enjoy here posts. One thing I want to add to this. My son is a sports junky. He loves going to games and playing in games. The sad part is, we can't take him to games because of all the peanuts at games. Some of the arenas allow us to sit in the handicapped seating, since it is a closed area. We only sit there when there are plenty available, as we don't want to take a seat away from someone in a wheelchair or crutches. Once we get those seats, we clorax everything. My son can't go to the games with his friends at all, nor can we drop him off at the mall the hang out with his friends. Christine, trust me when I say we make sacrafices daily. All we ask is to make it safe at school for our children. It is not a lot to ask considering how much these PA kids lose out on a daily basis. When you are sarcastic, it is very hurtful to many. Until you walk in our shoes, you will never understand.

Kansas, USA

Violet

Lori and Jennifer (and Christine)

It's been a little while since I've read anything in here. Thanks to Lori and Jennifer. We are all living it together. Sarcasm from non PA parents needs to be thought NOT typed. I guess I view this forum as more of a support group or just people looking for info. when their school systems have sense enough to try to become nut free. I actually called McDonald's today. Their fruit and walnut salad used to be apples, grapes and vanilla yogurt - a wonderful choice for my 3 year old. The walnut were in a sealed bag served separately, easy enough to throw away. Not anymore. They have started packaging everything all together. I'm sure I looked like a fool today arguing with the manager through the drive thru speaker that if they were in the same container my daughter could not have them. Anyway, I still love this site. I hope we can all find a happy medium someday - y'know where PA kids and families are still allowed in public places :).

Virginia

Texas

Thank You

Violet and Jennifer. Thank you so much for posting here. You have been an inspiration to me for a while now. You have taught me to stand up for my children's allergies. I have been visiting here for a while, but just have not had the courage to post. It is truly a breath of fresh air to read your educational posts. Please keep doing it. I am a very (very) young Mom, with no parental support. I have 2 young boys with the allergy. I find my strength here on this site more than the others. I do enjoy the honesty, but sometimes it is very intimidating to me. I try to learn from both sides of the coin, but Violet and Jennifer help me move forward. Thanks again.

Karen

Jennifer

Thank You

I wanted to thank all of your for your support. I'm just hoping in someway to teach my son to be able to fight for his rights with force, but not being offensive. I think everyone is entitled to their point of view and comments, sarcastic, snarky, etc. The fact is, we will face these people in our day to day life. I can either alienate them with hatred and contempt or attempt to make them understand why my son needs different accomadations. I just try to do my best to point out something they might be missing. Sure, at first view it might be easy to say "well you are old enough to know by now, don't eat peanuts." However peanut protein is invisible and if you are contact reactive, it can be your worst nightmare. I think I read somewhere that peanut protein can be viable for up to six months! I read on another site a great way to show people how peanut protein can spread. Rub some glitter lotion on your hand and go about your normal tasks without washing your hands. In an hour, check out where you've been...see all the glitter? Think of the glitter as peanut protein, now maybe you can see why nut bans are necessary. For those who are inhalent sensitive, imagine 50 out of 300 students in a lunchroom opening up their baggies with to eat their peanut butter sandwhich. Just the thought of an overwhelming smell like that when I was suffering from morning sickness made me ill. Think about how it feels when your chest is tightening, your tongue is tingling and there is this overwhelming sense of doom taking over you. Not fun!

Kennesaw, GA

I will never volunteer again!

Snacks

I am a home room parent, part of a committee. This means I share the responsibility for providing safe snacks during special occasions. We deal with many allergies in varing degrees of severity. Every parent is notified well in advance as to what the snack is and given ample time to notify us of problems. Recently, we had cookies. The cookies were made at a bakery that is "nut free". The bakery was recommended to us by a PA parent. The cookies had candy corn on them. As a non PA parent, I assumed the cookies were fine. After all a PA parent recommend this nut free bakery. The verbal abuse heeped upon me by some of these parents over the candy corn was unbelieveable. We were trying to kill their child, we need to be more vigilant, we are horrible, selfish etc. My question... what more could we have done?

Pennsylvania

Jennifer

Everyone has a different degree of comfort

In regards to candy corn being on the cookies, to the best of my knowledge only one manufacturer makes candy corn that is nut free. That candy corn has egg in it which is out of the question for my son. I'm sorry that you were chastised. I understand that you were trying to satisfy all allergies, but sadly that is not possible. From a personal point of view, I don't feel comfortable allowing my child to eat anything that I have not provided myself. There are too many scenarios that scare me. Sure it's a nut free bakery, but did they guarantee that the candy corn was nut free. Many manufacturers don't mention that their products are made on the same equipment or in the same facility where nuts are made. I'm surprised that the parent would even allow their child to have group snack. It's not within my comfort level - even for something like fruit or vegetables. How do I know the person providing them didn't use the same knife to cut them with that they used to spread peanut butter. Unless you are in the midst of this insanity, you wouldn't know this. That's not a judgement, it's a fact. I know you didn't intentionally do anything wrong, in fact you went above and beyond the call of duty. I hope that this experience won't sour you against all parents of nut allergic children.

Kennesaw, GA

loretta

peanut free

My nephew is allergic to peanuts and having a peanut free school would be nice for him. A child needs to feel included and a peanut free environment does not limit the entire day of the other students. After school they can have all the peanut snacks they want. One does not really understand the severity of the allergy unless they live with a severe food allergy. A mere few hours of a day to be peanut free is not asking for much. For humanity think about it.

powell river

Samantha

Candy Corn

Candy corn is a 'no no.' As Jennifer said, I too do not feel comfortable with my children eating anything that I did not make. The rest of the class can have those 'peanut free' cupcakes, but not my son. He will eat what I provide for him. Anytime there is a snack in school, the teacher will let me know the day in advance. This way, I can prepare a snack for him so he does not feel left out.

New York, NY

Volunteer

Candy Corn

As a nut allergic (tree nuts)person myself with a mildly milk allergic son, I hardily agree with taking personal responsibilty and my son did not in fact have a cookie and had a snack from home. I do not classify all PA parents together and can empathize with the fear these individuals experienced in that moment. I would love it if these parents provided their kids with a snack but they are the rabid "my child will not be excluded" type. Interestingly enough the bakery said they do infact special order candy corn from a mfg that claims to be nut free and ran out. A new employee went out a bought a bag at a local store, not knowing there was a difference. Luckily the one PA child who ate a some of the candy corn cookie before we caught it was not severely allergic. Thank God. Benadril took care of it. And his parents weren't amoung the complainers. They were just thankful we caught it. As a side note, our school makes the kids who bring foods known to contain peanuts/peanut oil eat at a different section of the cafeteria. So it is not the PA kids made to feel ostracized, but those that don't/can't make the accomodation. Do I think it's fair? No, but I understand the need for it. What is fair and what is right/best are not often the same thing. Life is not fair. If you expect it to be fair you will be very diappointed. Put on your big girl/boy panties and deal with it

Pennsylvania

Jennifer

I NEED my child to be excluded.

The only way my son will be able to survive PA is to be personally responsible. By excluding him from events it will further show him he is different. This isn't a bad thing in my book. It's what will keep him alive. When you start taking food from others you become lax. That is when mistakes happen. You don't always have a "do-over" with nut allergies though. As I stated before, you just can't trust the kitchen of others, no matter how well meaning they are. Even among PA parents, comfort levels vary so I doubt I would allow him to eat something I didn't prepare or approve of myself. Yes, I want a peanut/tree nut free room and table at school but this is because he is too young to understand how dangerous nuts are in his personal space. Plus he won't have the opportunity to walk away from a situation in school. He is not touch or inhalant sensitive, but the less exposure overall can possibly lead to outgrowing or reactions that are less severe from my understanding.

Kennesaw, GA

Lorraine Jeffries

Thank you Jennifer

I agree with Karen from Texas. I come here a lot, but never post. I really look forward to Jennifer's (Kennesaw, GA) posting. She phrases everything so politely and with great solutions. Thank you Jennifer for being such a great role model.

Upstate New York

Karen Josephs

Thank you Jen

Yes, a big thank you to Jennifer. I feel the same way, and look forward to her posts.

New Mexico

Jennifer

Thank you all for your kind comments

Len, in turn, I want to thank you! This website has been a wonderful learning tool for me as well. This board in particular. On many sites, if you are against abolishing peanuts and post to that effect, you are considered a troll. There is no open discussion - you are evil and you must be abolished or banned. You can't do that in real life though. You will always find someone who thinks you are stepping on their rights as an American (or Canadian) to serve pb&j to their child. Rather than slam that person, I would rather educate and try, if possible to work together. Right now, I'm trying to educate my husband's family on why nuts don't have to be at all family functions. It's not fun, it's not easy, but it's a fact of my life. It's hard on me too, there was a time I thought I would need anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication while dealing with this, unfortunately those medications have an adverse affect on me. When Aiden was first diagnosed, I was devastated but not ready to deal with it. We were also diagnosed with a host of other allergies - egg, wheat, soy and a host of environmentals. Less than two weeks later we were in the ER for a reaction to barley. It sunk in a little more that this was serious. A few months later a girl from Canada changed my total outlook - it was initially thought that she died after kissing her boyfriend after he had peanut butter. Everyone who knew or found out about Aiden's allergy had to relay that story from the news. So then I started researching about others. I was DEVASTATED! I read about one study that followed a group of kids starting in kindergarten throughout their school years. I believe it was halted by the time only a handfull of them reached 6th grade because so many had passed away. What was I dealing with? I'll be honest with you, I didn't let Aiden leave the house for sometime. It kept him safe, but he is a social child. I made his life miserable in an attempt to keep him "safe". I say "safe" because he still had reactions (not nut related). I finally had to come to the conclusion that I was going to do everything possible to keep him safe - read the information about different manufacturers, call if I had questions, teach everyone how to use an Epi-pen, stress that he is not allowed food that I have not provided, etc. However I was going to let him live his life to the best of his abilities. I would rather he have a happy life with the possibility of reactions (though praying every night that he won't) than to lead a miserable bubbled life. So I have done my research about 504's (Americans with Disabilities Act) and other programs that will allow him to have the same education as others and I plan to educate those around him that don't understand why I require these stipulations. I won't win all the battles and it won't be an easy road. Before Aiden, I was not a confrontational person - go with the flow, walk all over me, that's okay. I felt life was too short to get my panties in a wad. I'm still not likely to get my panties in a wad, but I have my big girl panties on and my dukes are up - I have a beautiful tow headed little boy with a big, mischevious smile, a contagious laugh and a heart that will warm you to fight for! I also have a 4 month old little boy named Connor with an insane head of hair who looks just like his grandma that will probably need a few battles fought for also. He more than likely has an egg allergy and considering our history, I wouldn't doubt the nut allergy as well. Even if Connor escapes the allergy, he won't be allowed nuts on my watch, the consequences in our family are just too scary. These little boys are what keep me going! I could wallow in the "Oh woe is me, my child has allergies" but sometimes you have to look at the positive side. They will probably be some of the healthiest kids alive since almost all of their food will be prepared fresh and not prepackaged. They will know what it means to have fresh-baked cookies and not Chips Ahoy. They will probably resent the fact at some point in their lives that they are different from other kids, but what teenager hasn't? I can only hope that if they choose to rebel, that they opt for drinking, smoking, sneaking out or even drugs because becoming lax on what they eat could possibly kill them. Please don't think I would encourage any of that behaviour, it's just what scares me down the road. It's a hard row to hoe. Want to know something? I miss peanut butter, I feel guilty saying that! But I would miss my kids so much more. I know there are parents out there dealing with nut allergies that don't think it's that big of deal. There are also parents dealing with nut allergies that say it's my way or the highway. I would rather be part of the group that works with people than against them. All of us though, want our kids to be safe. I apologize for being so long-winded in this post, but I want people to understand (from both sides of the spectrum) why I say the things that I do. Thank you all! May all of our children continue to be safe!

Kennesaw, GA

Len Saunders

Thank you

Jennifer, I agree with the others. Thank you for posting here. I hope you stick around for a long time, and continue with your poetic posts. I hope this forum has been helpful for all who come here, as well as those who come in the future. Let's all continue to work on a happy medium. It is not about fighting, but about keeping all our children safe. I check this forum daily, and become more and more educated. If there are other things you would like me to put on this web site, please let me know. All the best to everyone.

New Jersey

Jessica Billup

One more thanks

I too, would like to thank you Len for providing this resource. When my child stated kindergarten this fall, I did not know where to start. I just told the teachers to come here. They said it was very informative and helpful. Thank you for making my life a little easier. Jess :)

Texas

Ken

Peanut Free

I think peanut products should be banned from schools. Until they prove 100% that it cannot cause a problem if airborne, it should not be allowed. If it is not a problem being airborne, then I am not sure what the best solution would be, since peanut protein may still exist on school materials, therefore, transmitted through touch.

Minnesota, USA

Kim Mayer

I agree

I agree, peanut products should be banned until we know if it is 100% safe if airborne. Until the medical community agrees with this, I say -no- peanuts.

Alaska, USA

Bobbie

My Opinion

Just the other day when my son came home from preschool I immediately noticed a red bump under his right eye. Within 30 minutes the whole right side of his face was covered with hives. My son has been diagnosed with a peanut allergy and the school knows of the allergy. I asked my son what they had for snack that day and he said PB&J sandwiches but he doesn't like peanut butter it can hurt him so he had crackers. I feel that maybe one of the students had some of the peanut butter under their fingernail or on their shirt and on the bus on the way home my son rubbed up against this which caused his reaction. I have been concerned about an accident in the classroom and the teacher and I have talked and she says she takes all precautions with him. After thinking of this I decided to make a request for a peanut free classroom. I had not done this because I did not want to make the others go without (I have had a hard time because I am a peanut butter lover myself) The more I thought about it though I decided this is my son's life we are dealing with and not having peanut butter for a snack will not cause any harm to any children. If they want peanut butter they can have it at home. The teacher said she would have to ask the principal but told me that she was not in support of making the classroom peanut free. Well, of course as soon as the principle heard my request he agreed with me (liability I am sure) so the teacher sent out a letter to parents the last life says "I'm sorry for any inconvenience" This made me very mad to think my son's life may be an "inconvenience" so in my opinion people think that the allergy people are an inconvenience so I think the whole school should be peanut free it IS life or death for some!!!!

IL

Norm

For Bobbie

Yes, that line "I'm sorry for any inconvenience" is terrible. It almost means to me like they disagree with the decision. They should have showed you the letter first. Just my 2 cents.

Minnesota

Jennifer

Sorry for the inconvenience

I hate the phrase "sorry for the inconvinence"! The letter needed to simply state "We have child with a life-threatening nut allergy..." It's to the point and the repercussions are easily understood. I would discuss in writing with the school why your child is not an "inconvenience" and to please allow you to proof-read letters that go out to parents in the future. If they balk, bring your allergist on board. Explain your rights under the 504. If they still have issues, it may be time to find another school. Good luck!

Kennesaw, GA

Kerri and David

Sorry...

The line I'm sorry for any inconvenience" disturbs me. As Jennifer explained, you need to express your rights under the 504 plan.

Salt Lake City, Utah

T

Peanut free family

I am so angry right now with those of you that feel that a bloody peanut butter sandwich is more important than my daughter's life and the lives of other children out there that have this life threatening allergy! I'm just shocked! Do you really feel that way? Are there people out there that are that cruel? And the home school comments? Please, if your child can't cope without their precious peanut butter, then maybe you should home school them.

New Brunswick, Canada

Johnny

Thank you T

I love this web site. It has helped me so much. And "T" from Canada, WELL PUT. Some of the comments here have been very insensitive and uncalled for. After all, we are talking about children's lives.

New York

T

To Johnny, NY

Thanks for your comment. I was worried that I was a little too harsh but I just can't get over the nerve of some people. Isn't this site used to help people like us that have to deal with this on a daily basis? Why do those people go out of their way to say such awful things.

New Brunswick

Peter

Web Site

I have found this web site to be honest and refreshing. It has also been very helpful to my children's teachers. I have to agree with T (name?) and Johnny. This web site is for information purposes, and for the PA parents to help each other out. When some of these people chime in with their insensitive comments, I feel like they are cowards. I cannot imagine they speak like that the the faces of the PA parents. This web site is not to insult, but to educate.

Florida, USA

Johnny

Peanut free

T, you were not too harsh. You only got defensive from comments written earlier that were completely uncalled for. As said many times in this forum, if the shoe were on the other foot, you'd be singing a different tune.

New York

Laurie

WOW!

I came to this site looking for ideas of what to send as a birthday treat for my son who is in a peanut free classroom. Let me say I had no Idea that even the oil on the skin can cause problems. I know my kids like pb and J but a kids life is not worth them having it at school. I know I would not have a problem if the whole school went peanut free. everyone who has a problem should think what if this happens to my child?

Mesa Arizona

Cynthia

Thank You

Laurie, thank you for your understanding. You are a breath of fresh air :)

Nebraska

Anonymous

Thanks

Yes, I agree. Thank you for your support. It is very nice to see!

New York

Lucy

Peanut Poll

Love the peanut poll. It seems like the majority of people here would like a peanut ban. I would love to know what percentage of people signing up for it have to deal with the allergy. I am sure it is high, but at least the poll seems to be going in the right direction. Personally, I would like to see half the lunchroom peanut free, but I don't mind a peanut free environment to make it safe for the kids.

Texas

Wisconsin, USA

Peanut FREEEEE

I wanted to chime in. First, thank you for this site. It has helped me a lot. Second, I got a little frustrated reading some posts from non PA people. Wow, the lack of sensitivity was incredible. I think we have protect our children no matter what. We all need to work together. Please, show some compassion. Why bring something into school so dangerous. At least make it seem like you want to work with us on a healthy solution.

Reesa Langer

T (Tanya)

Peter in FL & Laurie in Mesa Arizona

First of all, thank you Laurie for being understanding. Peter, I'm wondering about schools in Florida. We maybe moving there at some point. Here in Canada our schools are for the most part peanut free. I've been looking up Florida schools and they don't mention it in any of their profiles. This worries me. Also we have some companies here that have peanut & nut free factories. "Chapman's" ice cream is one of them however they aren't in the States and "Dare Foods" is another one, for cookies, candies, crackers etc. They mentioned they don't have a peanut free factory there but they do ship for here to Walmart & Publix stores. Do you have trouble finding peanut free products? My biggest concern are the schools though, where I can't be there every second of the day with her. Would love any info you can provide.

New Brunswick, Canada

Peter

Florida

Every school district handles the food differently. My advice to you is to call schools in the area where you may be moving, and ask them questions. We shop at the Publix store, and never had a problem. They take great pride in their products (http://www.publix.com/wellness/food/SafetyInStore.do). We also order safe foods on line with many companies. I wish I could help you more. To be honest, my wife handles this end of our chores.

Florida

Tanya

Peter

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll check out that site.

New Brunswick, Canada

Tanya

Reesa

I agree completely!

New Brunswick

Jennifer

Publix

We have shopped at Publix for nearly 20 years and have always found them to be a wonderful store. They are awesome at ordering products. It could be something you saw at another store or in the case of a store in N. Tampa, food specific for a child with a special disorder. This isn't food that would be needed by anyone but a small group of people but Publix went out of their way. Our Publix in GA has been very accomadating of our child's allergy - even pulling the nuts from one register for me so that I could check-out safely. If that register is not open, I am welcome at the front counter to check out whether I have a full cart or not. The one thing I do in return, I send emails and letter complimenting the staff on allergy awareness. I am working now to educate our newest manager who is clueless about allergies but willing to learn. Good luck on Florida - I would be back in a heartbeat. I wish I could tell you more about the schools. My brother mentioned that Tampa area schools are very peanut aware. A friend in Orlando who volunteers heavily says Orange county is not so educated. Think it depends on the area you live. Don't let pioneering a new school district deter you, you can save a life down the road!

Kennesaw, GA

Tanya

Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer, Orange County was one of the areas we were thinking about. Good to know. Glad to hear good things about Publix! Makes me feel better. This move may not even happen-just want to be prepared. Thanks again.

New Brunswick

George Petras

Good luck Tanya

Tanya, good luck with your potential move. I have found most large chain grocery stores will work with you, especially if you deal with the manager, and give them any prior notice you may need. On a side note, I just read the article posted here on the home page for November 21. I don't know about most of you, but it sounds familiar to me. Same story, different people. I just wish people were compassionate to this problem.

New York

Tanya

George

Unreal. I just watched that news clip. I agree with that woman."How could someone value peanut butter over a child's life." Unfortunately there are a lot of people that don't get it. They'd feel differently if it was their own child with this allergy. I'm glad my daughter's school was so understanding. The confusing part for our school I think was that there was a little girl in grade 1 who was allergic to peanuts but her parents never requested a full school ban on nuts. Then we came along last year when our daughter started in K and said "NO NUTS!" Thankfully it's a small school and everyone went along with it. Even to the point that I have parents calling me at home to ask if something is safe before they send in a treat for the kids. It's been great. That's why I'm worried about Florida schools and after seeing that news clip...

New Brunswick, Canada

Selma

Happy Thanksgiving

To all those who celebrate Thanksgiving (mostly in the US I think), enjoy the day. Let's all give thanks to a safe peanut safe environment. All the best.

Houston, TX USA

John

Thank you Selma

Selma and the rest in the US, a Happy Thanksgiving. I have been a long time visitor here, but my first time posting. I have learned a lot here. Thank you to everyone.

Providence, RI USA

Perri

Thank You

My child was just diagnosed with this allergy. I happened to stumble across this site. It has been very helpful, thank you. I have even learned more in this forum. You have all been an inspiration to me.

UK

Tanya

Perri

Welcome Perri. I just recently discovered this site as well. Our daughter was diagnosed 4 years ago when she was 2. This allergy was hard for us to get used to at first, what was safe, what wasn't but thankfully there are a lot of companies coming forward with peanut free products. We keep our home peanut free and carry her epipen with us at all times. Good luck to you and your family.

New Brunswick, Canada

Perri

Tanya

Thank you Tanya. I have enjoyed your posts here. I look forward to what you have to say. This community seems very nice and helpful.

UK

Brandon

My allergy

My name is Brandon. I am 12. My Mom showed me this page. I wish my lunch room was no peanuts. Sometimes kids are mean and wipe the peanut butter in front of me. The teachers can not stop them in time. Today, one got sent to the prinicpals office. Most of my freinds are very helpful. Bye.

New Mexico, US

Jennifer

Brandon

Thank you for replying to this forum! It is so nice to know how it feels for someone with a nut allergy. I try to be a voice for my son, but I will never know how it truly feels. I truly believe that your comments will help those who don't know how scary the world can be with nut allergies. Keep up the good work!

Kennesaw, GA

Len

Brandon

Thank you for coming here Brandon. I hope you come back a lot. I think many can learn from a child with the allergy. I became sad reading that other children will try to wipe peanut butter in front of you. You should be very proud of yourself, and how you manage to protect yourself from anything peanut related. It is refreshing to have a child write a post here. Thank you again.

New Jersey

Marsha

Peanut / Nut Free

Here in Canada we are very lucky.All schools seem to be peanut free. Most kids programs, community centres, most city camps are all nut free. I think it is because here we try to be tolerant of people's differences and cultures . At most workplaces , schools etc. it is the norm to make accomadations and accept each other's differences for all types of minorities. This leads to a whole different way of thinking and so extends into people accepting that they can adjust to help alllergic children.

Canada

Tanya

Brandon

Hi Brandon, I feel bad that the other kids don't understand your allergy. Just keep telling the teachers and principal about any problems you have with the other kids. Hopefully they'll make some changes to make the school safer for you.

New Brunswick, Canada

Tanya

Marsha

Hi Marsha, Great to hear from a fellow Canadian! It's true though...most people here are very willing to help out where they can to make life safer for PA people.

New Brunswick, Canada

Len

New Forum

Hi everyone. Due to the many email requests, I will have a new online forum on this site shortly. I hope that you all will contribute there on a frequent basis. Please keep posting on this 'peanut free' topic as well. It has helped many. Got an email from a 10 year old this week. His teacher used this site to teach his class about the allergy. It is nice to 'make a difference.' Please check back shortly for the new forum. You will also be able to create your own topics.

New Jersey

Laura

Forum

I think a forum is a great idea here. There are so many great people here. Look forward to seeing it.

Texas

Ray

peanut free all the way

My son is so sensitive that he will react to the smell of peanut butter. He has reacted just by walking past the bakery department in the grocery store, he now knows to avoid that area all together, or to not come to the grocery store at all. He can avoid stores and restaurants, but I think that he needs a proper education and we don't have the means to give it to him on our own at home. So far everyone has been really good they made his preschool peanut free. He starts kindergarden next year, not sure yet if it will be peanut free. If it's not we're moving, my neices go to a school that's peanut free even if there ar no kids with peanut allergies. This is a policy they have in place because they found that the kids with the allergies were less targeted that way. I can't believe that people would be so selfish that they would rather see a child die from peanut exposure than to not have to pack it in lunches.

Alberta Canada

Jennifer

Oooooh! A Forum!

Len - I am really looking forward to a forum on this site. It is one of the few sites that welcome both sides of the spectrum. It's wonderful to have the support of other PA parents. But we are going to face the naysayers all of our life - hopefully we can educate a few before they place our childs lives in jeopardy! Thank you for all of the hard work that you do!

Kennesaw, GA

Len

Ray and Jennifer

Ray, best of luck with your son's allergy. You will always have friends and support here. Jennifer, I should have the forum up by the end of the weekend.....I hope.

New Jersey

Louis

Ray

It's a long road Ray. The best way to fight it is to educate. View sites like this for strength. My daughter is now in high school. She thinks she is so worldly, and wants to handle this on her own. I want to be there for her. I feel confidence in the fact that my wife and I have helped here for the last 15 years on this terrible allergy.

California

Len

Forum

Greetings everyone. The new forum is up. I hope you can all contribute there, as well as this peanut free page.

New Jersey

Sabrina

Peanut free

Peanut free means to me NO PEANUTS at all. When it comes to safety of our children, we all need to bend a little.....for every child and every issue, not just peanut allergies.

Texas

Joshua

Peanut Free Liability

I am fortunate to have children who do not have food allergies. Recently the school has become "peanut free". While I empathize with the parents whose children are allergic, I have liability questions. Let's say my child takes a snack, which I don't notice says "may contain peanuts". Through the process of eating, a cross-contamination occurs and an allergic child suffers a severe reaction, who is liable? Now before you complain about liability, please understand that I am trying to protect my family as well. If I liable, then I have no alternative but to remove my children from the school, because I cannot risk losing everything I have for my family (home, school savings, etc.) to pay for a personal injury lawsuit as-well-as any damages. Does anyone know an answer?

Arizona

Pete

For Josh

Josh, to be honest. I think you would need to take this question up with your local school board. I would think each school district has their own policy.

New York

Sabrina

Joshua

I agree. You should talk to your school about this and find out what their policies are about this issue.

UK

Jennifer

May Contains liability

If it makes you feel better, on another site with many parents of nut allergic children and people with nut allergies the focus is on keeping everyone safe and not on a litigious bender. I think many of us agreed that if you are doing your best to keep us safe that is what we want. Now having said that, we would appreciate that you didn't intentionally send "may contains" but even we know that processing changes without constant reading. I don't know what your situation is though - are you providing snacks for an entire group? If so, please be vigilant. Most of the nut allergic parents I know, provide their own food for their children. So while the risk of cross contamination is almost minute for a "may contains" or "processed on", it could still be an issue. Now if you were to send snickers sans wrapper just to prove a point - that could mean war ;-) I agree with previous posters though, check with the school and teacher.

Kennesaw, GA

Maria

Peanut free schools should be available

Hi all. Im reading all your comments. And some of them not so nice. I am the mom of 2 peanut and tree nut allergic children. One so severe she cant attend school because her peanut allergy is airborne. I live in Florida. I think that each county in every state should offer a school for food allergic children. We have schools for retarded children, deaf, blind, autistic, mentally challenged and so forth. Instead of trying to make all schools peanut free I think each county should offer a school for food allergic children to attend. This would be a parents option to send their child to this school or not. The teachers would be specially trained to deal with children with all sorts of food allergies not one specific food allergy even though a peanut alergy is among the worst. My one child is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts eggs and milk. With the amount of children having food allergies on the rise each year, it seems more sensible to offer a a special school to accomodate our children safely with prefessionals who know how to care for them. Even if it was a food free school and only half day was offered. I think it would be great for a child with life threatening food allergies to be able to attend school half day even!!! I think someday this will actually happen. How soon I dont know. This way others without peanut allergies wont be offended or asked not to eat peanuts so our children can breathe!!!!!

Tampa, florida

Jennifer

Maria

How are the schools in Hillsborough? My brother mentioned that Hillsborough seemed to be very allergy aware. He is dealing with what he has read as well as what his friends have said (they have kids of school age). I'm curious as I'm willing to go anywhere that is safe for my child.

Kennesaw, GA

Katie Bell

Nutt allergies

I have 5 year old twin boys both allergic to nutts twin A 5 anaphylactic episodes last 3 months from cross contamination at school after being in a room where children are that eat peanut butter at a nut assigned table in the cafeteria. Twin B 3 episodes from school 2 other children in the school also reacting. This is a small private school. Originally the school started out nut free then a month later the school reversed it's decision based on pressure from the parents of children that want to eat peanut butter. Last week twin A and another boy both had reactions after cooking class with chocolate. My Son was epi'd and sent to the hospital the other was controlled by benadryl and a second reaction 4 hours later. Since this event my otherwise healthy boy has had 3 asthma attacks which he has not had since he was 6 months. An offer to pull the boys out of school was not discourage I have 3 children at this school and pay over $45,000.00 a year. Does anyone know if there is any law requiring them to be nut free if a child has repeated exposure at school.

Pennsylvania

Sam

Katie

Katie: If you are a member of FANN, give them a call. They have a lot of helpful answers to questions like yours.

New York

Lauren Weiss

Peanut Free Cafeterias

If a school says peanut free, there should not be ONE peanut or peanut product on premises. Whether it is a section or the whole cafeteria, make a decision and stand behind it. Allergic children and their parents depend on people following rules.

Westfield, NJ

Karen

Lauren......

I agree with Lauren, but I wish some parents of non PA children would stop sneaking in foods. Our ex-friend took off the wrapper of a granola bar and purposely placed it in a baggie so nobody could read the ingredients. She admitted this to me. So sad!

Clark, NJ

Letty

No Peanuts

No peanut products means NO PEANUT PRODUCTS. That is it. No room for discussion. The nerve of some visitors here to not care about the safety of the peanut allergic children.

Greenleaf, Oregon

Sue Von

Oreo Cookies

Are Oreo Sandwich Cookies peanut free?

Mt Prospect, IL

Tanya

Sue Von

Hi Sue, Some of the packaging doesn't say if the products contain peanuts or mixed nuts. As a parent of a PA child we stay away from them because they now make peanut butter oreo cookies and as far as we know they're all made in the same factory so there could be cross contamination. They could make all the peanut butter ones and then make all the regular ones on the same machines. Not worth the risk.

New Brunswick, Canada

Sabrina

Sue Von

Sue Von, we have never had problems with the oreo cookies. We called Nabisco, and they said it was safe / not produced at the same plant as the peanut oreos.

Oregon, USA

Shannon

Get rid of em...

I feel that the schools should eliminate peanut products completely.

San Diego, CA

Len

Security Code

There is a new validation code here to eliminate some of the spam inappropriate for children to read. I hope this helps stop it. Thank you for your cooperation.

New Jersey

Rhode Island

No Peanuts

Please, no peanuts in the schools at all. Keep all the children safe. Let them have peanut products at home.

Shannon

Loretta

Peanut Free

To me, peanut free should be no peanuts at all. I know that may offend some, but a school should be safe for all children, and all allergies. Just my opinion though. Aloha!

Hawaii

Henry

Peanut free

Peanut free means no peanuts. Although I have a child with the allergy, I have no problem with half the lunchroom being peanut free.

New York

Quinten Bollet

Peanut Free Schools

I would love a no peanut policy instituted in my child's school. Never too safe for me mate.

Manchester, England

Tanya

peanut free schools

I just don't understand this whole children sitting at a different table at school thing. Make the schools PEANUT FREE. What is the problem!? Our children can DIE!! Why don't people understand that!!! My daughter's school is so supportive it's great. No Peanuts. Done. Simple. I mean don't get me wrong, there's not a day that goes by where she's at school and I'm at home here worried and praying to God that the phone doesn't ring telling me they've just gave her the pen and called 911. but I'm more at ease with that then if she was just sitting at a table a few feet away from peanut butter. I ate peanut butter all my life and gave it up for my daughter. But that's just it, as someone said earlier, it's not like we're asking these people to give it up forever. Just for a few hours of the day, could you not have..I don't know...turkey? Jam?...Pizza? Be creative......and reasonable.

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Kelly Baxtor

Give us a break........

I agree with Tayna, Quinten, and Henry. The peanut allergy is different only due to the airborne issue. That is why this needs more attention. Peanut can kill some children. Shouldn't that be enough to stop some parents from bringing these foods into schools. It's not like we are saying don't have it at home either. It is just during school. I know there are other allergies that are dangerous. The nut allergy in many reports is the worst pertaining to the ease of triggering an allergy attach.

Seattle, Washington, US

Dana

Life threatening allergies is a DISABILITY

My 2 boys have a life threatening peanut allergy. All schools who receive federal financial aid must have a 504 plan for students with life threatening allergies-it's the law. Severe food allergies are considered a special need. YES it is a disability under the Federal Civil Rights Law section 504 and ADA. A severe life threatening food allergy can limit various major life activities, such as eating, breathing, and caring for oneself. Disabled children HAVE to each in the cafeteria with other students because of discrimination (children with food allergies should NEVER eat in the classroom...know your childs rights! Our allergy specialist recommended to the school that our children must reside in a peanut safe environment with the least amount of exposure to peanuts. Exposure: digesting, second hand contact, and inhaling. Because of section 504 the food service stopped selling peanut items and the principal told the students to eat there peanut foods at home. To learn more about section 504 just google it

Kansas

Dean

Thank you Dana

Thanks Dana. Great info.

Illinois

Jill

No peanuts!

I don't think it is a lot to ask. There are other alternatives to PB.

Pittsburg, PA

Violet

Jennifer

How old is your PA child again. He goes to public school? I contacted our sons' elementary school principal about my daughter's allergy (airborne and contact). Even though he knows me and knows that I only bring up "REAL" issues, he totally blew me off, saying they have other students with allergies, blah, blah, blah. So I contacted the school board today, they have never had this issue come up before. I suggested that with 16 elementary schools in this area, could ONE be designated nut free. (I have to laugh because everyone that knows me on this issue considers ME a nut). But anyway, how have you dealt with your school and the allergy issues? How do I make them listen? Thanks.

Virginia

Len

Violet

Violet, please keep us posted on this situation. It is important for us to learn from you. Please consider joining our forum. This could be an interesting topic for all of us to discuss. Just click the forum link on the home page. Thanks.

New Jersey

Sharon

Violet

Violet, if you child's principal blew you off, I would go over their head to the Superintendent of Schools. How sad?

New York

Tanya

Violet

I agree with Sharon. Keep going until someone will listen. Our daughter's school had other kids with allergies when we started her in Kindergarten and we just asked them to go peanut free. It's a small school so it wasn't a problem and all the parent's and children have been so supportive. In fact one my daughter's friends refuses to eat peanut butter at home for breakfast because she knows she'll be sitting with and playing with my daughter at school. Although her mom told me yesterday that her other daughter, who I believe is around 2 has been breaking out in hives for quite sometime and their family doctor hasn't really done anything about it. I gave her the name of our allergist and suggested she get her checked and told her to forget the doctor and listen to her inner voice. As a parent she said she just knows something's not right but no one will listen to her. Here's hoping she's fine.

New Brunswick, Canada

S. Fogle

Peanut free classrooms

In an ideal world schools would be peanut free and I do not feel this is unreasonable as people do not really comprehend how very dangerous peanuts can be to a peanut allergic child. Since ideals do not always take precident in our schools, education is the only other thing we can rely on and the main thing is that teachers use common sense and keep peanut lunches away from peanut allergic kids and keep the eating areas clean and make kids wash their hands and wipe the tables and above all else do not treat the child like an outsider and punish him for having the allergy.

Wheeling, WV

Petras

Peanut Free School

I'd prefer to see a peanut free school completely. There are many safe alternatives to PB, and I feel schools should be safe for everyone. Just my opinion though.

California

Violet

forum

Hey Len, I signed up to join the forum. I think I did it before, hopefully it'll work this time. This is my FAVORITE sight. We are, for the most part, respectful to one another. I got something from our school yesterday. They have a representative for ou school to address issues with the Superintendent!! Don't think for a second that I hesitated. He got an email today. I'll let you know what I find out. If our county can't do this with 16 elementary schools, it'll be home school. Though I did hear of a private school in this area becoming peanut free because of ONE child with an allergy! Good for them!! :)

Virginia

Kelly

Peanut-free

It seems easier than in the past for schools to just go peanut-free (not peanuts in the school). Many of the preschools/daycares that I see now and have dealt with are peanut-free and have children in them who are allergic to peanuts. That works out to about 1 out of 20 children in these daycares. I find that quite alarming. Anyway children starting out in these preschools will be used to not having peanut butter at school, so it will not be that big of a transition for that generation to go to peanut-free schools. Schools can help by sending out letters stating ideas and alternatives. I know it may be an inconvenience for some children, but I don't think they are going to cry during lunch because they don't have peanut butter. (I am saying I think the parents will feel bad denying their children something they think they want. But children will probably adjust very well. And they can have it when they get home). Also the world is full of peanuts, and more products are getting peanuts in them everyday, what's up with peanut flour now? Yes it is hard to keep PA people away from it everywhere but if schools can go nut free for them that does not seem extreme. As far as other allergies I am conscious of them all the time though I have not run into anyone inperson who is milk/egg allergic. My daughter is allergic to peanuts and nuts, as well as other food, and peanuts are by far the worst. Yes, she could and almost has had an anaphaletic reaction to nuts, but peanuts would be much worse. (Happen faster, be more serious, etc). One last thing, although I'd heard of peanut allergies before I had my daughter I didn't know anyone who was allergic to food. I really suggest not giving peanut butter to children for those of you whose children are not allergic. I thought the age was under 1, years ago, but it would be much better to wait until at least 3, or 6 years old.

Maryland

Len

Violet

Violet, I saw that you signed up. You should receive an email about this. If you do not get an email, let me know. Looking forward to seeing you in the forum.

New Jersey

Lauren

For Kelly

I just wanted to say that Kelly brings up a very good point. If schools do start banning peanut products at the pre school level, then the children will be used to it as the move up to higher levels of education.

Pennsylvania

Stacy Martin

Tree Nut Allergy

Peanut safe

Denton, TX

Dan O

Life or Death...

"Peanut Free" seems obvious - no peanuts. If those who complain about keeping peanuts (the most common and fatal of all food allergens) out of schools understood the imminent danger associated with peanut allergy, and they could imagine that their own children could be subject to such a danger, I highly suspect they would not be complaining but rather supporting efforts to ban peanuts and peanut products from schools. Our son is almost three years old and we do everything we can to make him understand the danger with his allergy, but he's not even three yet and doesn't remember his first exposure. The first time we found out was testing a half of pea sized dab when he was around 14 months old. His face got all blotchy red and his eyes swelled shut. We were extremely LUCKY that Benedryl cleared it up! The first exposure could be fatal and more than likely, we're told, each exposure would increase the risk and severity of exposure. We are still struck with the ruling to allow airlines to continue to serve peanuts/nuts to those who want to buy them. These people could be sitting next to us, behind us... anywhere with peanut residue (dust, oil, particles) landing on things that our son or other peanut allergic folks could be exposed to. This is a Life or Death matter.

Indiana

Sam

Well Said Dan!

Very well said Dan. I sometimes wonder what those who complain a lot would do if their children had this allergy. I have seen it happen once before, and boy, did her tone change.

Iowa

Carrie

school funtions

Peanut Free means NO PEANUTS in the school. My 15 month old ate 1/2 a peanut butter cookie at the school which is PEANUT FREE. PTA brought them in. No one labeled the cookies or checked into it. So my child could have died from negligence by the PTA. However, I second guessed the cookie and saved his life. I still had to give him an Epipen and go to the ER. What if I didn't second guess the cookie? Then the school/PTA would be responsible for a death of a non-school child at a school/family function. Seems to be that anyone can make that mistake, and my non school aged child paid the price for aomeone elses negligence-That doesn't sit well with me. My other children are not allergic, but understand the severity of it. People need to be more responsible when it comes to a peanut allergy. Why should I have to worry about peanut butter whn it's a Peanut Free school? Because people aren't paying attention to what they are providing for snacks. If it can happen to a non-school aged child in a school then we need to re evaluate the Peanut Rules again. I think there is a need to have people educated on this-not just told no peanuts. Education is what works best! Communication amongst everyone helps too!!

Minneapolis

Carrie

hello??

Peanut Free means Peanut Free!!! Smoke Free means Smoke Free. So That can't kill you instantly like a Peanut allergy can. Seem s obvious to me- Peanuts are extremely dangerous to people allergic- smokers vs. non smokers-not an immediate death danger SEEMS VERY UNDERSTANDABLE PERIOD!!!!!

Minneapolis

Joe

I agree

Carrie, that is sad the PTA did not recognize the cookie was dangerous. As you said, smoke free means no smoking, and peanut free means no peanuts. It is to save a life!

New York

Tanya

They just don't get it!

Hi Carrie, Sorry to hear about your little one going through all that. Why don't people get it? My 6 yr old had a cookie at school yesterday during their Valentine's party. Apparently the teacher gave it too her because it didn't have peanuts in it. Well it still came from a house that has peanut butter around and we've explained cross-contamination to her but I guess she just figured it was ok. And our daughter should have known as well but she's also 6 and had a cookie placed in front of her. We sat her down and explained that she can't ever take that risk. I just spoke to the teacher that morning and told her that she could only have the cupcakes that I provided! So why was she given the cookie? It's like everyone is good about it for a while and then they get..I don't know, slack about it I guess. That's when it's frustrating. Someone described it one time as saying, a diabetic can have a little bit of sugar so people think that someone with an allergy can have " a little bit of peanuts or peanut butter". I guess we're on our own, problem is we can't be with our kids every second of the day once they're in school. We have no choice but to rely on others to help us out.

New Brunswick Canada

Loretta

Cross Contamination

Tanya, I had to deal with that cross contamination issue this week as well. I don't want teachers thinking it is okay just because there are no visible nuts in it. It is driving me NUTS.

California

christen

Peanut Safe?

What is Peanut Safe? According to our allergist this means a classroom that is completely without peanuts (including all children and staff washing hands upon entering). I was unable to find a preschool that was willing to make the necessary restrictions and we kept our daughter home this year. She has never ingested a peanut but has had multiple severe contact reactions and at least one reaction from airborne peanut particles in a grocery store it is felt that she would have an anaphalactic reaction if she ever ate even the smallest particle of peanut. My daughter is very knowledgeable about her allergies and asks about the ingredients in everything that anyone gives her to eat(even new foods I buy her). Despite her extensive food allergy awareness (she had multiple other food allergies) I will be fighting for a peanut free classroom and possibly peanut free school (her allergist's definition) when she enters K next year. I expect somewhat of a fight but I feel it is necessary to keep my daughter safe.

New Hampshire

Tanya

peanut free schools

Goog luck Christen. We've been pretty lucky with our daughter's school. There's been a couple of times where she had something that someone said was peanut free and I guess it was because she been fine. The school has been very helpful. I believe all the schools and preschools in our area are peanut free. Although that still doesn't mean that people totally get what that means. We as PA parents understand but I guess because they don't have to cope with this on a regular basis they don't. My worry now is that we're moving to Florida soon. A had a bad conversation with someone from the school board in Orange county. I asked if any of the schools were peanut free. She just said "I don't know. I can't control what's in the vending machines!" And that was all she had to say. I asked if I could speak to someone else about it and she said that "no one would be able to help me." So much for first impressions. My husband spoke to the vice principal at one school and she seemed nice and understanding. She said that while they can't call the school officially peanut free (because some students bring things that may contain peanuts and nuts) but they discourage students from bringing peanut butter. So I don't know, I'm worried but she has to still go to school. I'll feel better once we get down there and can speak to different schools and check out their policies.

New Brunswick Canada

NoPeanuts

It Takes A Village

It does not make sense to take such an extreme stance against a peanut ban. Claiming that it encroaches upon your participation in a democracy or that a child should be home-schooled due to peanut allergy is sensational and just serves to fan the flames of the debate. I will make the assumption that you would not want that for your child? That being said, I do not think that an outright peanut ban is absolutely necessary for a number of reasons … there are more reasonable solutions. My blog (www.nopeanutsplease.com) chronicles our journey in dealing with our daughter’s peanut allergy. I take a moderate approach and one of my core concepts is that ‘It Takes A Village’ to manage severe food allergies. Peanut parents need the support of many people to ensure that their child is safe during the day and we need to support and educate those who help. While a peanut ban indeed helps my daughter avoid an anaphylactic reaction, there are several severe food allergens and banning them all is not feasible. Furthermore, a ban creates a false sense of safety and while it is helpful it does not make the school 100% peanut free. Schools should have an emergency plan in place. They should also ensure that the contents of cafeteria food are clearly identified and that food-related activities are restricted in settings where allergic kids are involved. Parents of other children should make sure that their children know not to share their food with other kids due to the risk of allergic reaction. It is also helpful when other parents ensure that allergic children are not left out of activities such as birthday parties just because they have an allergy. Parents of allergic children are eager to help in these situations and it is important that their kids be able to have normal social lives with other children. Our role as ‘peanut parents’ is to make sure that the school is aware of our child’s peanut allergy and that they have a plan in place to deal with anaphylactic reactions. We also have to make sure that our daughter is fully aware of the allergy and all of the precautions that entails. We understand that sometimes we will have to make an extra effort to manage the allergy and we accept that. It truly takes a village to manage these allergies, especially where children are involved. We all have a role. NP. www.NoPeanutsPlease.com It Takes A Village …

Vancouver

Richard

Hey Len, Heresssssssssssss Johnny!!!!!

Len, Yes, I'm back. That is if you want my sarcastic self back on this forum. I'm facing a six week medical leave from work next week. After a one week hospital stay, that should leave me with five fun filled weeks to post. Am I missing something about a "new forum?" Or is it the same forum with a validation code? Please let me know if there is a new forum and if you want my bi-partisan views back. Love ya Richard

Pennsylvania

Ana

Peanut-free

Peanut safe. No peanut has been in the area. The people in the area were not touching peanut. If they have, they are peanut safe (know to wash up with soap and water).

Aptos, California

Len

Hey Richard

Richard, I missed you. Don't ever leave again. I had to put the code in because too much spam was flying in, stuff inappropriate for children to see. I want to invite you and all the others here to also join our forum. It is an easy sign up. Just click the link at the top of the page and follow the new membership directions. Glad you are back, and most important, hope you are feeling better.

New Jersey

Peter

Hey Richard

I had wondered where you were. I too, am glad you are back.

New York

Kathy

Peanut Free?????

Can the schools really be peanut free? How do you know that a child didn't have a BPJ sandwich for breakfast and DIDN't wash his/her hands before coming to school? My husband is deathly allergic and my son is not, but I still worry about cross contamination. I do believe that we need to do more educating to parents and families without this worry. More education means more compasion, which means they do not feel cornered and discriminated against in a ban. Cause realy, even if a parent usualy duoble dips into the jam jar when they are making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and then just send a jam sandwich to school with their child, that child then has peanut oils on their skin that contaminate!

Canada

Carlos

Peanut Free

The only way to make our world peanut free is to stop growing any nut products. Since this will never happen, forget about it. All you can do is educate and keep the nut allergic person away from nut products as best you can.

New York

maryann

kids and nut allergies

i too have 2 children with server nut allergies and 2 others who may have it as well. i think that ALL SCHOOLS across the US should be compleatly nut free. a few years ago before we came to this state, my daughter had a problem with a student in lunch. well one day that kid ate a peanut butter sandwhich during lunch [which was around 11:30am] that kid sat next to her on the bus on the way home that day. when she breathed on her, the left side of her face started to swell and she broke out in a rash. if i had it my way....all nuts would be out lawed.

wildwood florida

maryann

whats wrong with some of you people !!!!

OK ! i was just reading some of the comments and i cannot believe what some of you have said ! for those of you who do not have children with any nut allergies... i am glad for you.... BUT what you do not realize is that if you have students in YOUR childs school and YOUR kid brings a pb&j sandwhich or something else with nuts and another child has a reaction because of your kid and it was proven by teachers and other students that it was in fact YOUR kid that caused it,... YOU COULD AND WOULD BE SUED !!! if i was able to afford a lawyer i would have sued the parents of the child that caused the reaction to my child. see people like you have no clue just how hard it is for familes with kids who have these types of allergies. ok do this.... next time you go into a grocery store, check out the warnings.there really are sooo many different things from snacks to orange juice that have either some kind of nuts in/on it or a warning that the product is made on the same machine orin a factory that processes nuts. you will be surised. anyone that would like to comment me personally can do so at angelswings006@aol.com.

wildwood florida

Krista

Thank you

Thank you Maryann. I too read some of the insensitive words here. Some of these people should be so thankful to not have to deal with this allergy.

Texas

Susan M. Wiseman

Peanut allergies

My son is deadly allergic to peanuts, and all nuts. The school he is attending is serving ice cream that contains peanut product in the class room. If my son is touched by a child who has the contaminated residue on his/her hand, he can die within 30 minutes. To the people on here who don't agree with me, they evidently don't have a child with a severe allergy to peanut products. Each teacher can not police every kid, and all it takes is one child to touch my son. I am currently filing a citizens complaint form, and I have a lawyer. That is how bad this principal is regarding the safety of my child. I worry everyday that I may get a call from the school telling me that my child has had a reaction. It that happens, the WV State Board of Education won't have a butt to sit on. Some airlines have done away with peanuts. Airlines care more than the schools. Wish me luck on my fight to keep my son safe.

West Virginia

Catherine

Susan

Susan, best of luck. Many of us completely understand. People are ignorant and selfish who do not support peanut free schools.

New York

Tanya

Flying with allergy

Hi, Well, we're moving to Florida in a couple of weeks and we're taking this one step at a time. We have to find a school that we will feel good sending our daughter to and feel good about her safety with her allergy. We have to find a grocery store down there that has some peanut free products.(My husband was down there recently and said that we're pretty lucky up here with all the peanut free products we have. We'll have to do some more research once we get there or have or friends and family send care packages) But before we do all that we have to get there and that means flying. Our kids have never been on a plane before so we've never had to deal with being so far off the ground and so far from medical care with this allergy. We're flying Air Canada which thank God doesn't serve peanuts anymore but I still feel nervous knowing that the other passengers could have a peanut butter sandwich tucked away for their kids...what happens if she comes in contact with something and we're that far from a hospital? I'm going to be carrying a few epipens just in case but I'm still nervous. Her allergy is such that she would have to actually ingest it and we can take our own snacks but I still worry. I'm sure someone out there has been in this situation before.Can you put me at ease about this? Thanks

New Brunswick, Canada

Lori

Tanya

Tanya, good luck. It will all work out. I suggest you join the ABC Peanuts forum. The link is the third one on the menu bar to the left. So many great people who can help comfort you.

California

Amanda

what is safe

I think having a special area for the children with allergies to be in would be sufficient, unless a person has such an extreme case that even if the touch residue or breathe in the fumes, then I might really suggest completely peanut free area, and not just a seperate table in the same room. My son has a severe allergy to peanuts/tree nuts, but is not in school yet. He's not quite 2 yrs old. When I was in school they had a special room that the child with allergies ate in. I think that works. If my son gets residue on his skin we will have a reaction. If it gets really extreme. I might just make sure he just wears gloves while at school. Make sure he knows (by then he will be able to hopefully undersatnd more about his allergy, and keep an eye out for things), and be careful. I agree that some kids will only eat pb&j, and love pb products. What is someone is severely allergic to milk.. are they gonna ban the selling of milk or dinrking of milk in school? We just need to make sure our kids learn and not seclude them from living as much of a normal life as possible. yes it's a severe allergy, but life con'ts, but just need to be careful.

ohio

Rebekah Wolford

Peanut Free Schools

I have twin boys with fatal allergy to peanuts. Peanut free is no peanuts anywhere. I am hoping for our school to at least set them up in a safe zone for lunch time but that doesn't protect them from other children who have eaten peanuts or peanut butter for lunch and haven't cleaned their hands very well. A Peanut Free School would eliminate most of my fears of them going to school everyday. I know how much time they have before they die but no matter how many times you show someone how to do the epi-pen or to watch for signs, they are human and panic will set in and that is precious moments wasted for my boy's to get the help they need. Peanut Free is an easy solution to save many lives and to protect the liability of the schools responsible for our children. Thanks!

Apopka, FL

Roberta

On the fence

I'm a mom with a tn/pn child that is against banning tn/pn as well. I believe it creates a false sense of security. I have found that constant vigilince and education is key to keeping him safe. I have found children and adults actually MORE willing to work with me when the understand I don't want them to "give up PB&J" I simply want them to learn how to enjoy their lunch AND keep my child safe. Bars won't stop passing out peanuts once he's 21. Bags of nuts will still be thrown at Mard Gras. Simply put: I cannot and do not expect the majority to change for the minority. Instead I want to give my child the tools to learn how to function in the real nutty world. Learning to know what to eat and when NOT to eat it. When to seek help. That his epi must be nearby at ALL times. I have found myself to be in a minority regarding. I have even gotten some UGLY letters from pn/tn allergic families. :(

USA

ML

Peanut Free is NOT safe

First things first, a person with a life threatening food allergy is never safe. But some precautions can help. I don't think a peanut free lunchroom is feasible, but well supervised nut free areas are. I do, however, think that preschool/daycare centers should be nut free. Small children can't be safe in any environment that allows peanuts in any form.

Oregon

RUBY COTTONGIM

PEANUT FREE LUNCHROOM

KIDS THAT ARE ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS AND PEANUT OIL NEED TO EAT MY THERE SELF THIS COULD KILL A CHILD WITHOUT GOOD SUPERVISION

MANCHESTER KY

Becky

peanut free

We go to a peanut free play discovery place however there were parents who ignored this and we told the staff after they were told to put the peanuts m&ms away they rolled their eyes and then just sneaked them to their children anyway.

nh

Lynn

peanut allergy

I would love schools to become peanut free.I would feel much safer sending my child to school.He is almost 3 years old,so right now school isn't an issue,but I worry already.I will consider to home s chool if I have to.

Maryland

Laurence

Peanut Free

Peanut free is the best way, but it won't be complete. I mean, some will probably sneak in foods deemed unsafe, or not read the label for potential nuts included. I have enjoyed reading all the posts here.

Manchester, England

Kristy

peanut free

Peanut free to me is NO peanuts whatsoever. My son is starting kindergarten next year and I interviewed school principals to see which districts would be most cooperative in keeping my son safe. Other children can eat peanut butter at home. My childs life is at stake. I found a school willing to adopt that policy. They will be offering cereal or cheese sandwichs as a protein alternative to peanut butter.

Michigan

jade

help us

my friends daughter had an anaphylactic shock yesterday and she has exzma and asthma we cannot find a list of foods that do not contain penuts or traces of penuts any where can u help

adelaide

Jacqui

Peanut free lunchroom

I am 17 years old, and severely allergic to eggs, nuts, and peanuts. As a child with allergies, I was put at a so called "peanut-free table" in the normal cafeteria in kindergarten. This "peanut-free table" was two desks pushed together that the one other student with peanut allergies and I sat at every day. Within three months, we had decided enough was enough, and requested to sit at the normal lunch tables. Learning to cope with my food allergies was an important part of growing up. From three months into kindergarten until third grade, when I moved to a new state, I sat across from my best friend who ate peanut butter sandwichs for lunch EVERY DAY. I believe that enforcing a peanut-free lunchroom is a hindrance, not a help, to a child. It sets them apart as "different," and makes it harder for them to adapt later in life when they will have to deal with schoolmates and coworkers who eat peanut products. Growing up in a bubble does not prepare a child for life.

New Jersey

Sam

Att. Jacqui

Jacqui, you are an inspiration to us all.

Boston, MA

Violet

Jacqui

My daughter is airborne and contact allergic. Any suggestions? I continue to nag our county schools, no response yet. I don't think a separate table or room is going to do it. She had a reaction very young after her brother touched her after pb toast. Her allergist said to start with state officials and work our way down. I hope it works. A peanut free school is the only choice if we're not going to home school.

Virginia

Sarah

Peanut v. Perfume

To all people here comparing peanut allergy and perfume allergy - I do not have any food allergies (thankfully). I am, however, as seriously allergic to perfume and other scents as anyone else I've met, and have gone to the ER with asthma attacks triggered by exposure to perfumes. I've also had an anaphylactic reaction (to an allergy shot for my grass allergy). Trust me, the two are nothing alike. Nothing. Have you ever felt your entire body erupt in hives - so quickly you can watch them grow - and then feel your throat close off and realize that you CANNOT BREATHE? It's the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. I used my epi-pen and was rushed to the doctor just in time. The worst reaction I've ever had to exposure to perfume was a quick moving asthma attack that required me to use my inhaler (nowhere near as traumatic as giving yourself a shot), wait half an hour to realize the inhaler wasn't cutting it, and head for the doctor to get a breathing treatment. Perfume-induced asthma attacks can be lessened by removing the trigger quickly enough - from what I've read, quickly enough is still too slow for peanuts. I did have some accommodations in high school, when my allergy was at its worst - I was excused from the PE requirement for one year, and given a different place to change another year - but perfume doesn't stray from the locker room. Peanuts get everywhere in a school. As to what peanut-free means, it's no peanuts or peanut products, anywhere in the school. I'm not sure if that's the right approach to take, but I am sure that to call anything else peanut free is just plain wrong.

Illinois

sophie

peanut free

ban peanuts from the world! no, seriously , we need peanut free schools etc. this is the only safe way to go for my child. our school has a peanut free policy but some people STILL pack it for their kids. So frustrating....

new zealand

Christina

Peanut free schools

I am sorry, but while I sympathize with your dilema of a child with peanut allergies, I do not feel that it is right to ban peanuts in schools. I DO have a personal experience as both my niece and nephew are ANAPHYLACTIC to ALL milk proteins and certainly it was not an option to ban milk proteins. I think that we are creating a situation where the children are become to used to expecting an area be peanut free an let's face it, things happen, and it is not necessariliy fair to all other students to limit their use of peanuts in a place where they spend most of their days. Not to mention unfortunately there are many allergies out there and it does become "How come yor child is more important than mine who has an egg, or milk or strawberry allergy". As we cannot ban all, education is the best policy here and certainly providing a "safe area" is warranted. In my son's old school, those with allergies ate in a separate area and so that they did not feel left out, they would invite a friend the day before to join them to eat with them and that friend knew not to bring in a dangerous lunch the following day. A better solution than making a school completely peanut-free.

Niagara

Christina

Catherine From NY's comment

I actually resent Catherine's comment that people who don't agree with Peanut Free schools are ignorant and selfish. As I commented previously, my sister's 2 kids are anaphylatically allergic to ALL milk proteins. I have seen them rushed into the ER blue/purple in the face, swollen like a beach ball. But...they are now in their 20's and have learnt to deal with the allergy and how to avoid problems. Still..things happen because you can't ask the world to protect you from everything. As someone already pointed out about cross-contamination, my nephew was 5 years old when someone threw a pice of cheese into his lunchbox, it wouldn't even dawn on most of you that this could kill him as most people think of milk allergies being to a glass of milk. Not so. My nephew at 5 had learnt that that WHOLE lunch was now contaminated and a phone call was made to him mother for a new meal. The child who did it was reprimanded and the whole class was given a reminder of the importance of not sharing foods, not throwing foods and to handwashing afterwards. You may call me ignorant Catherine but I have worked in hospitals for years, my sister is a Master of Nursing and my husband is a paramedic who I might add recently was invited to speak at an information night at a local High school on anaphylasis. There he met a top-notch allergist who dispelled many myths about nut allergies and mentioned that of all the food allergies, milk is the worst as there are 30 different ways to list milk in the ingredients on packaging because again... it is not milk but the milk protein that cause the allergy and most people are unable to recognize all of the available terminology for milk proteins. So, while you may think that I am ignorant and selfish, I think that you should realize that in the food allergy world, you are somewhast lucky as there is a much larger movement for nut-free areas, nuts are much easier to identify in ingredients and there is much more "education" on nut allergies. You will also find it easier to be able to ban nuts. I would be interested to see/hear your reaction if your child came home and said, "Mom, here is a list of foods that I cannot bring to school as I kid in my class is allergic to milk proteins. Also, here is the list of the terminology for milk proteins that you must check for." Good luck making lunches after that. No bread, milk, cookies, mayo, butter, margarine, NO pre-cut deli meats, limited deli meats as long as you watch the butcher cut it AFTER washing the slicer, cheese strings, yogurt tubes, candies, hot dogs, pizza, pita breads, tortillas, the Lunchmates boxes just to mention a few. So excuse my ignorance but...

Niagara

Susan

compassion and understanding

I think compassion is the key here. Since peanut allergies can be set off by airborne particles (as opposed to other food-based allergens), I am in favour of the nut-free school policy. My son does not have any food allergies, but many children in his school do. His school is nut-free in name (thanks to Sabrina’s law in Canada), but it is sadly not enforced by the parents (many of whom do not speak English). The school staff simply cannot inspect each lunch-bag at the door. Consequently, I see kids with nut-containing foods all the time. I have tried to raise it politely and peacefully with each individual as I see it, but there is simply not enough understanding to engender the compassion required. I think the schools could be more proactive with allergy education, including the horrible possibilities if a child had an anaphylactic reaction. Children have the capacity to show kindness and consideration to others – let’s teach them about the consequences of severe allergies. It's not too much to ask to keep the primary schools nut-free. Young children are simply not ready to administer their own epi-pen, and the teachers have so much else to do, with so many students, that it's not reasonable to expect them to monitor the reactions of each child during meal-times. A delay of just a few seconds could result in tragedy. My nephew is being home-schooled because of his nut allergy – and he will get a good education, but he is missing out on the social aspect – which I'm sure most would agree is a treasured part of childhood memories. I wish he had the option to go to school. I think true freedom means everyone (disabled or not) having choices that aren’t life-threatening. To those who insist that their children will only eat peanut butter sandwiches, I must say, it's time to embrace the many other available foods. To the mother who is worried that the only other options are fattening, processed foods – there are many good reasons not to eat processed foods (which may contain nuts) anyway – food prepared at home is much healthier, helps the kids to focus better in school, and you have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what is in their food. To the concerned vegetarian, I commend your lifestyle choice, but it is a choice – children with allergies didn’t choose to have allergies. There are many nut-free options your children could have for five lunches per week. I wish all the allergic children well, and I wish their parents peace.

Toronto

Michelle

Peanut Free

Hello People we are dealing with our child's lives. If we don't stand up for their rights who will. People who don't have to deal with the allergy don't understand how severe it really is.

Canada

Paula

Peanuts

A place in which all people in attendance wash their hands, face and brush their teeth if eating Peanut products prior to visiting a "Nut Free" place and not bringing any peanut or nut food products into the said place. My son is allergic to Peanuts and Tree Nuts. Is it so hard to understand we are talking about one meal in which we are begging parents of Non allergic children to see that it could kill our kids. Trust me, we'd give anything to be on the other side of the story. It is a very scary life for us as parents and also for our children.

Caledon, Ontario, Canada

Christina

Peanut free schools

Since my last comment, my children have come home with a end-of-the-year letter from their school informing us that there are children coming to the school next year that have peanut allergies. While at the momment they are only asking our "cooperation" in the matter, I am well aware that they plan to implement it as a rule. I was warned of this a while ago and when I approach the school secretary and asked if this was going to be coming up, she played "ignorant" by saying not that she knew. Of course, she is the one who prepares the news letters. I would also conclude that because we were only informed in the last newsletter and after the final "real" parent council meeting, we were not going to be given a chance as parents to discuss this issue. I have read most of the postings here and have heard many arguments before. Recently my husband was at an anaphylaxic conference where a specialist from Toronto spoke and he said that there is "no" truth to myth that one can have a food allergy from what people call "airborne" contamination. I understand that those with children with PA are going to argue that and I understand it. I only mention that as a point that there is mixed information out there and each of us reacts with our emotions. I fully disagree with Nut-free schools and plan to fight a ban being implemented. Some of it is due to what those of you with PA children would call "spoiled" children as my daughter eats only 1 of 2 things for lunch (PB & J or cream cheese). Part of my point is that we are can NEVER GUARANTEE that somewhere IS peanut free! Precautions can be made by the school to provide "safe areas" but it is unrealistic to expect "peanut free". I also feel greatly for the parents who have children who are allergic to other foods and no ban who put into place for them. What does this tell the other children? The PA child is more important? Yes, I do understand the severity of the problem for the allergic child. If you did not read my previous posting, I have a niece and nephew who have a milk protein allergy. Not "lactose intollerance" not an upset stomach when drinking milk but anaphylaxis. I have experienced firsthand several of the episodes that landed them blue in the face and rushed to the hospital. If you were to ask them, they would never agree to a food ban. Obviously their school did not ban milk protein (which by the way is the allergy which is the hardest to deal with as there are 30 different ways to list a milk protein in the ingredients label). You think that reading for nuts (or trace of nuts or nut oil) is difficult, try reading for milk proteins. Both of them are now in their 20's and have NEVER had an episode at school. This is due to their vigilance and to the awaness of their classmates and friends. Our school does not have a cafeteria so it would be quite easy to control the cross contamination. The kids eat in their classrooms. It could be implemnted that the school provides wipes in each class and the kids are to wipe down their desks and hands before leaving the classroom. We are on the balanced school day so for those of you that say "it's only 1 meal" well, in fact it is 2 daily for us. I have always followed the school's healthy eating policy. My kids quite rarely take something that is "unhealthy" in fact, my son takes salads almost every day. As protein every once in a while, he enjoys cashews in it. I have not checked but it would not surprise me if his salad dressing (which comes from the States) states may contain traces of nuts as most of their products do in fear of litigation. I do everything right for my children and their lunches. The other option is to bring them home for lunch as other kids do but I can tell you that like other parents, I will give them PB at home. While I have my kids wash their hands after eating and my kinds are more than aware of being careful around children with allergies like their cousins, you cannot truly think that all the kids going home will do the same. We must educate both those with and without the allergies to co-exist in a way that is fair and safe to ALL students, including those who have allergies that do not get such publicity. I feel more for those kids at the present than I do for PA students because their doesn't seem to be any "fear" for them. Do we watch out for them? Not that I have ever seen. Milk allergy: Deal. Strawberries: Deal. Glutten: Deal. We all have to "Deal". Let's find a way to "Deal" that helps everyone.

Niagara Falls

Pat

For Christina

Wow, Christina, that was the longest post I have ever seen. You had mentioned about an anaphylaxic conference where a specialist from Toronto spoke about the airborne concerns. Was this person a doctor? This comment has been proven to be inconclusive. Until the medical community can 100% agree that nut allergies can not cause a reaction while airborne, your comments are worthless. No parent of a PA child will ever feel comfortable with your statement because one person said airborne allergies to nuts are a myth! In needs to be unanimous within the medical community. My allergist says this topic can go either way right now. The best preventative measure is no peanuts. Sorry. and please, don't compare other allergies to nut allergies. No allergies are the same.

Texas

PATRICIA

I AGREE

MY SONS SCHOOL IS WONDERFUL.THE SCHOOL IS PEANUT FREE.EVEN THE TEACHERS LUNCH AREA KIDS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO BRING IN STUFF THAT HAS AN ING. LABEL OTHER WISE THE PRODUCT IS SENT HOME WITH A NOTE.AND THE KIDS ARE SENT HOME WITH A LIST OF SNACKS THAT ARE SAFE.MY NEPHEW GOES TO A SCHOOL THAT HAS A PEANUT FREE TABLE AND HE SAYS HES THE ONLY BOY HIS AGE THAT SITS THERE HE FEELS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM.

CONNECTICUT

mark

peanut/nut free

this is the scariest allergy in the world for parents whose child is allergic to peanuts/nuts. this allergy can kill, thats right kill. children who have to do without peanut butter sandwiches can live another day. they can have those peanut butter snacks when they get home. children with this allergy may not be given a second chance. if this was one of you children would you dismiss it so quickly.

new jersey

Tanya Richards

Christina

Ok, Where do I begin with this Christina. One minute you speak about how you've dealt with children that are blue in the face and can't breathe and then you state that you will "fight the ban" of peanuts in the school!? Even just the way you come across, ("I was WARNED about this...") I don't get it? You've seen first hand what these allergies can do and then you want to stand in the way of those of us who want to protect our kids. Why? I think there should also be a ban on milk, soy, wheat etc. in schools. Those of us with PA kids don't think we're superior to those with other allergies and you'll see that they're out there fighting for the saftey of their kids too. Why would we keep things around that would knowingly harm our kids. I just had my daughter in a peanut free school for two years. It was a sense of comfort. Now we've moved to the States and I now have to enroll my daughter in a school that won't hear of it. I'm sick about it and it's because of people like you that I now have to live in fear of that phone ringing and someone telling me that my daughter is blue and not breathing. Yes the rest of us " act with our emotions" it's our childrens lives we're talking about here.

Florida

Christina

response

I am sorry to those who took my entry to be hurtful as I truly did not intend it that way. I DO fully understand that you are doing this to protect your children and I salut you for that. And when I said that there is a "specialist" yes he is a doctor and I agree it is open to debate if it is airborne, that was actually my point. It is not proven either way. As far as comparing allergies, I think it is completely fair to, expecially when it comes to banning products from school. It becomes a question of "where do we draw the line" Will it become your child's allergy vs another's. What if the school turned around and said to you "Now we have a child who is allergic to milk protein so we are going to allow nuts so that people can eat SOMETHING" how would you feel? I know you are going to say "ban milk, too!" It is impossible to ban everything so we need to come up with safe and realistic solutions for everyone. If you note, I an against banning nuts COMPLETELY, not against being safe. And for those of you who think I am talking only because of PB & J, you are not being realistic. The potential for nuts is in everything. Snacks, cereals, and even breads. Not to mention cross-contamination in the factories or even at home where the lunch is made. Companies now put "may contain nuts" on everything out of fear of litigation. You are talking about a multitude of things that now become "against the rules". Our school implemented the balanced school day last year which means our children now get 2 "Nutrition & Fitness" breaks where they are encouraged to eat a mini lunch at both. We now have to provide 2 meals/day where we are trying to have variety and stay within the healthy rules. One reason this was supposedly implemented was to help the under-priviledged children who don't get breakfast. Food that comes from the food banks usually consists of "high protein" foods such as peanut butter, protein bars, granola bars and cerealy bars. Most of these have some sort of nut or warning of nuts. We are now telling these children that they cannot bring in the foods that they were given to help them stay healthy. Some of which will be the only food they get for the day as lunches are usually sent to not embarass the child and to not have child services at the door for neglect. Not all families can afford to buy enough fresh fruits and vegetables (which are truly the only guaranteed nut free stuff, unless you're allegic to almonds as they are related to plums, peaches and nectarines and they would have to be banned also) to fulfill the needs of their lunchboxes. I am fortunate enough that my son eats mostly salads for lunch and my children always have fruit or yogurt for snack. But then I said I am fortunate. Not everyone is including those of you who have a child with an allergy (ANY allergy). My oldest has an allergy to shellfish.

Niagara

Christina

Tanya

And to Tanya, I do understand your wanting to protect your child. Explain to me though what you would send for lunch if the schools banned all of the foods you just mentioned? I am not sure that there is anything left. My sister was realistic in not asking her kids' schools to ban "milk protein" there is not much else left and the other children have to eat. Not to mention attempting to read ALL the ingredients for ALL the ways to list milk proteins. It would be impossible and a falsehood to tell them the school is "milk protein free" the same as it is with nuts. I think allergy children as safer when a system is implemented around a safe area. It is much easier to contain cross contamination that way then everyone "assuming" that all the lunches are nut-free. The kids in grade 6 that are watching the younger ones at lunchtime are certainly not equipped to handle that kind of responsibility.

NIagara

violetk

airborne to everyone

Hey guess what? My daughter is airborne and contact allergic!! That's how we found out she had allergies. She was 8 months old. It is true. I've witnessed it in outdoor settings twice and contact from kisses on her cheek as a baby from my son after a pb toast. She is four and we will have her tested for the 4th year in July. It seems unbelievable to most people. I live in a county with 18 elementary schools. They have just informed me recently that she is legally protected. They HAVE to make accomodations to fit her needs. I do understand that kids will probably bring in things (like granola bars) that contain peanut flour and other nut flours or that are processed on equipment with nut products. I do not know what happens around granola bars for example. I DO know what happens around peanuts and peanut butter. She ingested a trace of "contaminated" ice cream last year-and I mean a small trace. She had an anaphylactic reaction. I just pray that everyone can work together and try to have some compassion for all children. An alternative for kids that LOVE pb&j (like my 2 older children) is Sunbutter- Target in Virginia sells it - I know healthfood stores sell it also. Each batch is tested for traces of peanuts and it is made in a nut free facility. It's GREAT. Very similar consistancy, flavor (you can taste sunflower seeds if you THINK about it). My kids and I both love it. It's safe to have in my house and around my daughter.

Virginia

terri

peanut free schools

My allergies to tree nuts evolved when I was 35. Even if I eat solmething that touched an alomnd I have severe reactions. I avoid most nuts but I don't expect others to do the same. Children are different and I really have no idea how t make schools and other places safe for these children with out negatively affecting others

alabama

Heidi Redmond

Redmond's Peanut Free

My four year old son is extremely allergic to peanuts and we did something about it. Since he is not allergic to almonds and we could not find a almond butter that was free of peanut contamination. We started making our own, after lots of hard work, here we are making a difference not only in our lives but so many others as well.We put everything we had into this business 2 years ago and we still are. But if anyone can suggest a way of helping us, so we can expand further faster that would be great. We are limited to what we can do right no because of funds. We are a loving family who cares very much for all those allergic. Our Peanut free almond butter only contains almonds, no other allergins. Please check more about us at www.peanutfreefoods.com

OHIO

Heidi Redmond

Redmond's Peanut Free

I also want everyone to know that since we have been doing our peanut free almond butter business we here so many stories from all over the place. I have read alot of what eveyone is saying here and I'll tell you the allergies are truely on the rise and the peanut allergy is one of the ones that are the worst. My son can not have an accident. He has never ate it but got it through me nursing him. His reaction took over his whole body when he was 11 months old. The Dr. was shocked. He had never seen anyone as allergic to anything that he has ever tested as my son was to peanuts. Plus when he was 2 years he got a rare disease called Mastocytosis. Means he has a massive amount of mast cells, more then a person can handle. He has to stay away from what he is allergic to because it would make the reaction 10 times worse. When you add the life threatening anaphalaxes peanut allergy to the life threatening anaphalaxes disease, that is diffently why we can not have an accident. It is very scarry and We keep an eye on him constantly and when he goes to school next year he will qualify for a nurses atendent with an epi pen ready to use as fast as you could.Every second counts. Every year there are more and more kids allergic to peanuts and it is climbing faster and faster. I feel for parents like me. We also have an allergy support group that us mothers got together and started for more support it's called POAK (parents of allergic kids. If you'd like to also learn more about my son's disease go to mastokids.org

OHIO

chene

peanut free

it does mean that the lunch room must eliminate peanuts to be safe, some airlines have stoped handing out peanuts to their pasengers because some people can get an allergic reaction from just being in the same room in wich peanuts is or has been in the past 9 hours.

pretoria

Sirus

Peanut Free

Peanut free means making it safe for all children by not allowing any peanut products. This is the most dangerous food allergy. Don't compare it to other food allergies.

Alabama

DeAnne

peanut free zone yeah right

I am 32 years old and have had a severe peanut and tree nut allergy (and allergies to wheat, soy, and rice) since birth (hives, swelling of the lips mouth, throat, any place that a nut touched me). The way I survived was by being very cautious. My parents taught me to be cautious. I smelled everything to see if it was safe or not. Yes smelling the nut does cause a reaction in me but not nearly as severe as if I ate it. So when a kid offered me a cookie I would sniff it to see if I would get itchy. You have to come up with survival skills at some point so why not start young. A parent or teacher is not always going to be around to keep a nut free zone.

Houston

Kristy Donahue

Not safe in schools

All Peanut allergys are considered life threatning. My daughtor's numbers are off the chart. When she starts 1st grade next year itis not safe to send her if p&j is still being served everyday at school. The teachers can wipe down all the tables after lunch, but who is going to wipe the kids faces?

waterford, CT

Kay

Responsibility

I have gone one year now in a "peanut free" school. It is not just a matter of not having peanut butter. I now have to shop as though my child has this allergy. And I have to buy more expensive food as a result. (IE: Soynut butter is 50% more expensive than peanut butter) An expense which I am suppossed to bear rather than the parents of the allergic child. I have had food taken from my child at school and thrown away because I didn't realize it had nuts in it. (Again, no reimbursement to me). But here is the thing I don't understand. If this child is SO allergic that just being near a peanut could kill him, why are his parents shifting the responsibility for his safety to me? And all the other parents? The vast majority of these parents they've never met. And what about non-parental caregivers? I became ill suddenly this past year and was hospitalized. My M-I-L moved in and took care of my kids. Now this PA parent is putting this childs life in the hands of my M-I-L. She doen't know that she's not allowed to send in granola bars, pecan sandies, and her family recipe chocolate chip cookies. Does that seem responsible? To me it seems neglegtful. If I knowingly and repeatedly put my child in a situation that could kill them, they would be removed from my care. Why the double standard?

Delaware

Violet

to Kay

Okay, Kay. If it is a peanut free school then the parents of the allergic child are not being negligent. In Virginia, children are legally protected and entitled to the same education as your child. It IS an adjustment. It IS liveable. Sunbutter is not that much more expensive. Our county will probably only have one peanut free school out of many. Maybe you should transport your child to a different district. I'm sorry to hear that your MIL was in charge for a while. Maybe you could label your snacks and food shelves as "NOT FOR SCHOOL" or "SAFE FOR SCHOOL". It's just an idea. It's very frustrating to read your comment as a PA mom. I have two kids with no allergies one with. It was a huge adjustment. I'm sure it's frustrating at first for you to have to change things specifically for school. Please try to be understanding of the children. The don't realize that they are any different than their friends or siblings. We educate our allergy kids on that part of their life, but don't you think they deserve some sense of normalcy? I have a question, for my own quest, can you contact Len and let him know the name of the school your child attends? Our county is trying to start this, they currently have 30 PA kids in one school (out of 17). The nurse practioner would like to contact other schools out there to see how to make this happen. My daughter has contact and airborne peanut allergies. If it were ingestion only, I wouldn't be as concerned.

Virginia

Violet

correction

sorry,that's nurse practitioner. oops!

VA

Shawn

Att. Kay

Kay, no PA parents are shifting the responsibility to you. The PA parents live with this 24/7. Your school rule is 'peanut free.' They are asking you to make a small contribution to make the school safe. Nothing was shifted to you. Apparently, your school thought it was a good idea to make the school safe for PA kids. So, follow the rules. Are you going to resent peanut allergic kids because they were born with this deadly allergy? Give me a break.

New York

Dawn

Peanut Free?

My 7 yr old son is severely allergic to peanuts and all nuts, as well as coconut. He can have a life threatening reaction just by touching peanuts/nuts and has also had a severe reactions to inhaling cooked peanut/nut oils. How can we expect schools to accept a nutfree environment, when we ourselves our so divided? As a parent I would prefer to do anything to keep my child safe. But as a realist I know that this is an impossible task (short of putting him in a bubble). Initially the school wanted me to follow a protocol for his allergies that was determined by a previous child's parent, one that I did not completely agree with. I had to modify this plan to fit my comfort level and my son's comprehension level. My son's classroom is nut free. However his school lunchroom is not. He spent his first year of school lunches eating with a personal lunch lady in his nut free classroom. This past year I opted to allow him to eat in the lunchroom at a designated nut free table with "his" lunch lady. No, I was not 100 percent comfortable with the idea. But I am also not willing to demand a nutfree lunchroom. If we are allowed to make lunch time nutfree, then mothers with children that have severe egg, wheat, dairy should also have that option. With an already restricted diet, what does that leave my son to eat? I also feel that I need to educate and teach my son to manage his allergy. As he gets into his teens and his world expands he needs to have the knowledge and experience to manage his allergies in the real world. Statistically, our children are at their highest risk between the ages of 12-16 yrs.for a fatal reaction. I feel for us, the best plan grows and changes as he matures and is able to handle and comprehend the responsibility. I don't think the answer is black or white. Its too emotional of an issue, and each parent must decide and act accordingly for themselves. And schools should take each child's plan on an individual basis. However us parents need to look at the whole picture, keeping in mind both current and future safety for our kids. As for my son, other than his first ingested, first touch and first inhaled reactions, we have been fortunate to not have any additional reactions to date. Unfortunately, our children are always at risk (library, stores, sporting events, parks, life in general). P.S. His classmates are required to clean their hands whenever they enter his classroom and all extra curricular classes are food free.

Michigan

Janie

Peanut Free

I believe classrooms should be peanut free. It is a childs life at risk. People can live without peanut butter for a few hours.

Arizona

brad

nada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

penut free is penaut free no peantuts at all no where its stupid the people dont uneder stand how siorous this condition if u will if i fell un sucure i dont want to do anythin i just want to go huddle up in a coner and sit no talking no nothing it ruins my life so when people say peanut free the should know what the people are going throu and be able to back up that promise cuz if they mess up i can tell u i will never even go near that place agian

detroit

Barbara

Tolerance

I just happened to stumble across this site this evening while searching for an epi holder. I've got a 4 1/2 yo daughter who is severely allergic to pn & tn, we're avoiding all legumes except soy (thank goodness). I'm a member of PA.com and, as they do here, the conversations become quite heated. Before my daughter's first full-blown reaction, I have to admit, I had no idea how serious and difficult food allergies could be. What an eye opener! I think a big part of the reason the general public thinks we're all lunatics, running around like a bunch of whiny ninnies is because they just have not been educated on the subject. Yes, we are trying to protect our children and there isn't a thing wrong with that but it's wrong to fault the community at large for not being educated on something they don't have to deal with on a daily basis. I understand that it's a lot to ask to have a nut free environment for my daughter. I also believe that it's ok for me to ask for it though. Sending our children to school isn't just to educate them on the subjects they are taking, it's a way to teach them to deal with others, to have compassion and help those that need it so they'll become well rounded human beings. My daughter goes to a nut free preschool right now and while it makes the other parents a bit uneasy (we rotate sending in the healthy snacks) they do the very best that they can and I cannot be more grateful to them. One little boy, all of 3 at the time, was given pb on toast for breakfast and then realized it was a school day and became very upset. He was afraid he'd make my daughter ill so he made sure to wash his hands well and brush his teeth before coming to school. Many of the parents made it a point to tell me that they were very careful not to give anything with nuts to their children before school to help keep my daughter safe. None of this was because I was hooting and hollering but because they are compassionate people and they want their children to be the same way. As far as a peanut ban in schools, I feel that in the younger years while children are learning to take care of themselves and handle their allergies it's not a bad thing. As with anything, with age comes responsibility. It may be asking quite a bit of the other parents but their children are also getting a lesson in compassion, something our society could stand to have a lot more of in many, many areas aside from allergies. I know this has gotten to be really long but I do want to make a couple of other points. For the person who said that they have someone in their family who is allergic to perfume, I have stopped wearing perfume out in public once an acquaintance told me what a problem it can be for a family member of theirs. I've never met this person however I figure if there is one person with that problem, there have to be more. Why did I stop? Compassion. For those comparing milk and egg allergies to nut allergies, I have an honest question. Do those foods have the same problems with residue as peanut butter? Can the milk or egg proteins be wiped away or do they have to be washed away with soap and water like nut proteins? Also, is there a possibility of airborne reactions with these foods? PLEASE, educate me!!!

Michigan

Jessica

Peanut Butter

NO PEANUT PRODUCTS AT ALL

Wisconsin

Stun

Barbara

Welcome Barbara. I would suggest you look into joining the forum here. It is easy to sign up, and some great people there. The airborne topic has come up a couple of times. See you there.

New York

james

peanut free school

I have an Autistic child who as many parents of autistic children can relate to. Has very strict habits he must follow to ward off a meltdown. One of his main habits involve meal times and food served. He eats Oatmeal for breakfast pbj for lunch and chicken pot pies for dinner. There are a few days this will change but to keep the meltdowns low we choose to follow his desires. Now he has spent the last 2 yrs of his 6 yr life following this regimine with great results. His first day of school was today and we get a note sent home saying the school was a peanut free school this year and that if we sent a peanut butter sandwich to school again it would be thrown away. Now as a parent of a disabled child this seems like going to the extreme. If there are a few kids at the school that have an allergy keep them away from the other children at lunch time. And to all the self rightous thats what they are asking of my child. If he must eat a PBJ then he will sat in a corner table away from everyone. Which would probably workout fine for him since he is Autistic anyways. Why should my child sat by himself at a table in the corner because he wants to eat peanut butter for lunch. This is the problem for all of America we conform to the few who scream the loudest and punish the rest. If your child has such a severe reaction to peanut butter that running his hand across the table of someone who has eaten a PBJ sandwich could cause him/her to die then he needs to be kept out of public areas. Lets not stop at the schools lets ban peanut butter from all public areas in every city and state that way you can be safe everywere you go and to hell with the rest of us

oklahoma

Googley

nuts are everywhere

not just in schools- in the world around us. most candy/choclate/snack bars and so many foods either contain nuts, or are manifactured around nuts. and people eat them all the time and touch everywhere!they drop crumbs and step everywhere, transporting tose crumbs. they eat them evrywhere,including in home,public places, on the streets, in their cars etc. on the go, then tuch door handles, public restrooms, their car, sink faucets, their cloths, public places,other people, etc. and even go shoping for different things and touch stuff in stores, including toy shoping ,grocery shoping, so they tuch the groceries themselvs,the shelvs,the cart money, kitchen supplies and anything else in different stores. go to parks,wash their cloths that have nut crums/stains on them in public laundrymats, touch the washers and dryers, so the crumbs, smells, residue and airburn are everywhere.they touch everywhere. it also stays in their mouth and can be airborn and smelled, and most people spit some when the talk. wrappers are everywhere on the floors, trains and busses, trash cans etc. it's not avoidable.it's everywhere! I geuss everyone needs to be tested when they are born and also periodecly and whoever has allergies should just allways carry with them the medicine and make sure they have an immediate plan for survival in case of any reaction, aspecially life threatning ones. Tell me what you think about this.

PA

Shawn

For James

James, is your autistic child mainstreamed into the regular classroom at all? I would say yes. If this is the case, I am sure you had to deal with issues similar to this, where parents do not want to conform to your needs. I am a teacher, and see autistic child mainstreamed into the class each year. So many parents complain that the child is slowing down the learning process, even with their personal aides. You can't have your cake and eat it too! If your child is mainstreamed, then you have to follow the rules. I empathize and applaud you for all you do for your child, but we all must work together. All the best. Shawn

Connecticut, USA

new

observation

I recently discovered that my child is allergic to peanuts, eggs, milk, and wheat. I have read this whole thread with great interest. Am I the only one to notice that the opinions of children raised with allergies but opposed to a peanut free zone are being almost entirely overlooked? I have also noticed that those who accuse others most of intolerance are being the most intolerant themselves. Case in point; why is no one responding kindly to the mother whose child can only eat peanut butter? Speaking as a mother of someone with multiple allergies, peanut allergies are not “worse” than other allergies, and those with other allergies have legitimate opinions. To say so only shows that you are viewing the world myopically. Lastly, it is my responsibility and mine alone to keep my child safe. If any of the allergies turn out to be so severe that non-oral contact is deadly then I will home school. I would not trust anyone else with his life and certainly not simultaneously trust hundreds of strangers.

south

Jake

Unknown Person

To the unknown person above my post. I have a PA child, and I am sensitive to other children's needs. But, peanut allergies ARE different, only because they may cause a problem if airborne. That is the difference.

California

Autism Mother

Special Needs

Children with Autism will only eat certain foods. Autism affects about 1 out of every 150 children. More children will be diagnosed with Autism this year than with pediatric cancer, pediatric diabetes & pediatric AIDS, COMBINED.....Peanut butter is a healthy food that my child will eat.... Children with special needs are SEPERATED from everyone else so each childs needs can be properly addressed. Children with life threatening allergies ARE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN...... The parents of special needs children including both Physical and Mental handicaps, do NOT appreciate that our children are SEPERATED from the NORMAL kids so the Student body as well as the NORMAL TEACHERS do not have to attend to their special needs, or rework their classrooms around my childs disability.... But the fact is my child has special needs. Parents of children with food allergies have SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS...... If parents are going to send their child to PUBLIC School, the parents KNOW that their child will be exposed to the PUBLIC. Some of the families attending PUBLIC school feed their children Peanut butter....... Schools do NOT need to ban Peanuts or food products, however a Peanut Free table (or dairy free, seafood free whatever is needed) or seperate room should be acceptable. Educate the children about washing their hands, and brushing their teeth after they eat... Educate the allergic childs peers about the childs allergy, Don't share food, etc..... Some food allergies are life long, banning a food product from a school will not ban it from the public. Your child will need to learn how to live with their allergy EVERYWHERE they go in life.....

Indiana

Barbara

Autism mother

To a point, I can appreciate what you're saying but you're comparing two completely different issues here. Autism is nothing like a peanut allergy. We're striving for a SAFE PLACE for our children to go to school. Is avoiding peanut butter really, I mean REALLY that much to ask??? Honestly, does your child absolutely refuse to eat anything else? Does your child honestly NEVER eat anything else but peanut butter when not in school? He/she must eat something else so why can't you just send that something with him/her to school and save the peanut butter for home? It's just a food for heaven's sake and we're talking about another child's life. I completely understand that you have a heck of a lot more to deal with than I do as far as special needs go. Your stress level has got to be astronomical and I am sorry that anyone has to deal with serious worries in regard to their child. You suggest that the children have to learn to be in public. Learning takes time. Expecting a young child to remember everything they need to do to remain safe is an awful lot to ask. Why is it so difficult to see that while, yes, it is important for the child with the allergy to learn to watch out for him/herself, it is also a wonderful opportunity for the other students to learn compassion and empathy. So many in this world are so self centered (I am in NO WAY referring to you) that they can't see past their own problems. Wouldn't it be a wonderful legacy for our children to learn to be giving and loving people? To learn to not only watch out for number one but to watch out for everyone else too? I believe the schools should be peanut free at least through middle school. I know, I addressed the issue of young children before, how they need time to learn to watch out for themselves. My concern is that as the children get to the point where they are able to do so, that's also prime bullying time. I've heard horror stories of kids with PA being taunted with PB&J sandwiches, of peanut butter actually being smeared onto a child's belongings and even onto the child himself. I think you can understand that as a parent we have to do all that is humanly possible to keep that from happening to our children. Do they have to go out in public? Yes, and we are all highly aware of the risk to our kids, believe me. Why is it asking too much to expect our kids to be safe in school where we are entrusting their well-being to others? Many of us feel that homeschooling isn't the answer because the socialization factor is also an important thing that our children need to learn. They should be allowed to feel safe in their school environment as well as their home, bottom line. I did appreciate hearing your side of the issue and though it didn't change my mind on anything, it did help me focus more clearly on where I stand on this issue so I thank you for taking your time to say what you did.

Michigan

Harris

Barbara

Barbara makes valid points. Sorry, autism and peanut allergy are just not the same. Both deserve respect in the schools, and each should be handled its own way.

New York

Michelle

better safe than sorry

I think the comments about homeschooling the severly allergic is not an ignorant one. It is our children's lives at stake. We know we cannot trust others to take the same precautions we will with our own children. Why take the risk of them dying? The benefits of homeschooling far outweigh public schools for so many reasons. It's not like anyone is suggesting we should not educate our children. Thankfully, we don't have to choose between life and education.

IL

Autism Mother

peanut allergy missconceptions

You are correct in stating that Autism is indeed very different than someone with a food allergy. Childern with mental and phyiscal disabilities have indeed been segregated, and unfortunatly teased for many, many years. These children along with some normal children, also endure the "Taunting and Teasing" from the "Normal" kids. Although this behavior is WRONG, these are kids, even normal kids make mistakes, and this goes along with BEING DIFFERENT & SOCIAL INTERACTION....... You stated that you cannot expect a young child to know everything they are supposed to do to remain safe, instead expect the entire student body to understand, including the same age peers, as well as all of these childrens siblings (which could be mentally disabled siblings or peers). No offense, but your talking about several hundrend children alone to be partially responsible for another childs life. Sorry, but this leaves way to much room for error. If a ban was in place until middle school, what happens when a non-allergic families younger child grabs their older middle school siblings peanut butter or peanut product (which could include peanut contact products such as bread, crackers, cereal, granola bar, milk chocolate, pre-packaged snacks etc.)to lunch on accident? What about breakfast? What about young children who may sneak something, like a piece of chocolate, from home? What about the silent parents sneaking things (wrong on many levels but probably happens)? What if a child from a non-allergic family gives their dog a treat before school, without realizing it has peanut butter in it? What about other childrens afflictions, why are they not as important? What about young diabetic kids? I have NEVER heard of a school wide sugar ban to protect the diabetic child from accidently ingesting something with to much sugar. What about severe milk or egg protien allergies?? I have never heard of a schoolwide ban of dairy products to ensure the safety of those children. Or severe Soy allergies, Severe shellfish allergies? What about bug bite allergies? Have you ever heard of an entire school recess ban? It is plausable that a bee could follow a child indoors and sting the allergic child, no need to open the school doors more than needed. These allergies an also cause an anaphylactic reaction, which makes them equally as fatal. I have found that many misconceptions surrounding this allergy. While it is known that cracking open a peanut shell can emit small peanut protien particles, peanut butter aroma does not contain any protien. This here is a great article from Dr. Michael Young M.D. who is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School. He is also the author of The Peanut Allergy Answer Book, available from FAAN. Common Beliefs About Peanut Allergy: Fact or Fiction? (from this article) The brain registers the sensation of an odor when it receives a nerve impulse from the nose. The nerve impulse is triggered by chemicals in foods that stimulate nerve endings on the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. The key fact is that these chemicals are not proteins and, therefore, are incapable of causing allergic reactions. The chemicals that are responsible for the odor and flavor of peanuts are called pyrazines. Pyrazines are volatile organic compounds and have no protein structure; they do not cause allergic reactions, they only cause odors and flavors.

Indiana

Lala

Autism Mother

For Autism Mother: Unfortunately your Autistic child gets teased, and that is sad. Peanut allergic children also get teased, which is also sad. My child had another child wave a peanut butter sandwich in his face during lunch. It has happened more than once. The only difference, there is NO room for error here with this type of teasing. My child's life was at stake.

Texas

PA mom

peanut bans in a compulsory situation

Lily and Kirsten (and any other that disagree with a peanut ban): First, peanuts are NOT NUTS! They are legumes- they are in the pea and bean family. Peanuts are not nuts, but they do often get processed together, and they do often end up used in the same ways, plus nuts and peanuts tend to cause serious reactions, which is why they tend to be lumped together. Second, comments like this show ignorance, and, honestly, a very purposeful refusal to try to "get" the point of the concern that (most) PA parents and children have: "I agree that we cannot become a dictatorship. If parents are so worried about the allergies they should home school their children and not go out in public. The world is not accommodating. Each of us need to learn to adapt to the environment in which we live in. My school has a peanut free table and there are only a handful of children that sit there. Most kids eat peanut products on a daily basis. Education is taught in my area and there have been no problems! " The fact is this: We are forced to send our children to school. Most states have compulsory schooling. Many of us (myself one) homeschool (not due to allergies, but that was part of my decision-making process), but we deserve the right to- if we feel that we can't homeschool- expect a certain level of safety for our children. You speak of the world not being accommodating. Actually, the world IS accommodating, in the sense that we have options for what we do with ourselves. We can choose our mate, our career, and where we live. However, again, unless we homeschool, we have NO choice over the school environment, as school is compulsory. As such, that environment needs to adjust for the severely allergic child, as the child can't adjust for that environment, or opt out of it (again, unless they homeschool). If our children are being forced to school, then that school needs to be safe, period. If that's not something that schools want to do, then there should be free options- such as private tutoring- for PA children, paid for by the state. How about that- those of you against a ban can help pay for a PA child's private education, outside of that unsafe school environment? I'd love to get recouped for my homeschool curriculum. I think I'll look into proposing that as a state law. Then you all can keep on eating your PB&J sandwiches, and not be bothered. It'll just come out of your taxes later on, instead of you putting in the effort of being more careful at the school.

USA

PA mom

homeschooling

Barbara, you said this: "Many of us feel that homeschooling isn't the answer because the socialization factor is also an important thing that our children need to learn." I homeschool, and believe me, when you homeschool you realize how silly this concern is. Homeschooled children live in the real world- not in the artificial one created by schools. They never leave the real world- and tend to have BETTER social skills (studies have confirmed this) than schooled children. If "socialization" is really what stops you (and not just a lack of a desire to bother), then you should look into it as an option. My experience, however, is that parents that use that as a "reason" are just trying to think of a reason to not bother, because they've already decided against it (the other big one is "I would never have the patience"). It's OK- you have the right to not be interested in being with your children for that amount of time- you don't need to make up reasons for other people. Some parents just don't like that type of time with, or responsibility for their children.

USA

Petra

PA PARENT

For the PA parent. You could not be more wrong. I have been a teacher for more than 30 years, and socialization IS important in the schools. In all my years of teaching, I have had children come into my class switching from home schooling to the regular classroom, and these children are lost. They don't know how to handle themselves in my social situations. Some (not all), were outcasts, due to their lack of social behavior.

California

Barbara

PA MOM

I can only summize from the insults and generalizations that you hurled at me that you've been ridiculed for deciding to homeschool your child(ren) a time or two too many. You are a very defensive (and offensive) woman. It's great that homeschooling obviously works well for you and that you feel good and passionate about doing it. Many thoughts factor into the decisions that people make NOT to homeschool too and that doesn't make us bad people for deciding to send our children to public or private schools. You have the freedom to decide what is best for your child as do the rest of us. If your child is adequately socialized, that too is great. I find it extremely insulting for you to suggest that I don't want to be bothered with my daughter simply because I believe that going to school is vital to her socialization. It's like the working moms who criticize the stay-at-home moms for "being lazy" or the sahms who say the working moms "don't want to be bothered (oh! there's that word again!) with the children that they gave birth to". The generalized judgements are wrong on both ends. What works for some does not work for others. How in the world can you assume to know how much time I invest in my daughter? By choice, I stay home with her so I can help her grow into a well-rounded adult. I COULD still be working full time and we could have toys and big trips but I CHOOSE not to...I'm lucky that I have the choice, not everyone does. Am I complaining? Not on your life, my time with my daughter is precious to me. Do I think I should get a medal? HAH! Far from it! Quite often the only other people she has contact with are my husband and two sons, nearly 18 and 20. Because of where we live, until she began preschool last year she had no friends her own age. Now she does and she's a much happier child for it. She's become more independent and confident. She's learning how to make friends and how to be a friend...without me hovering over her. She's learning to trust people other than her immediate family. SOCIALIZATION! It's good for her and I will NOT be made to feel guilty or stand by and be insulted for the choices I've made for her. We pay taxes that go to the public schools and it is not unreasonable to expect that my child should be able to attend and remain as reasonably safe as possible while she is there. And, while I'm on my soapbox...for those that say "Peanut free doesn't guarantee that the kids will be safe" my reply would be: Will people make mistakes? We're all human, of course there will be mistakes. Will people purposely and willfully break the rules? Yep, there are always those out there that will do anything to fight "the system". BUT...overall, if peanuts and tree nuts (goes back to the whole p-nut/nut oily protein thing) are completely banned or greatly restricted throughout the schools will our PA children have the risk of exposure greatly reduced? Absolutely...and that's what we strive for until they are old enough to know how to take care of themselves in the real world, isn't it?

Michigan

Violet

wow!!

It's getting kind of ugly again. I am debating what to do now. First, peanut butter CAN cause an airborne reaction. It happened to my daughter. Let the researchers say what they think-it DID happen!! Next-my daughter is attending a pf preschool this year. I am very nervous. Our public school is trying to create a pf district. (I WAS excited) I am scared to death now after speaking with a pf charter school in a neighboring state. I can't afford private school-but will look to the county to reimburse for her education since it won't be a CHOICE. I would love to homeschool!! (But) I know my daughter just wants to attend school like her brothers! I work 8-530 Mon-Fri. I am very fortunate to work out of my home. But it is a real job, with no flex hours. Any ideas or suggestions? I view homeschooling as the last resort-only because of my daughter's personality. She's been at home with me forever and I think she needs outside people. Do I trust other people (parents/staff/students) not to mess up? NO!! When we ask for a ban-it's because of the severity of the allergy. I am not worried about my daughter ingesting-I'm worried about the contact and airborne issues. I am fed up with the diabetic thing. It's ingestion only- with other allergies-if they are airborne-I support a ban 100%! With autism and bullying- autism is a very different and difficult thing- however-the schools need to step up to protect those children from hate.

Virginia

Laura

For Violet

Violet, you don't need to defend the airborne of peanuts. It is not a theory, rather, a reality.

Nevada

New

airborne peanuts

I agree with autism mother. There is a lot of misinformation about peanut allergy. Unfortunately the worst misinformation seems to come from the parents of children with allergies. Here is some information. It is from http://eslkid.com/msgboard.mv?parm_func=showmsg+parm_msgnum=1001433 in case anyone wants to check up. Tuesday, September 28, 2004 Some perspective on peanut allergy Source of Article: http://www.bangornews.com/editorialnews/article.cfm?ID=436551 Food Allergy News published an informative article in the June-July 2003 issue about peanut allergy, written by Dr. Michael Young of Harvard Medical School. I hope sharing some of his thoughts will simplify dealing with children and adults with peanut allergy. A commonly held belief is that the odor from peanut products such as peanut butter can cause an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis. Interestingly, when peanut-allergic children were not aware of their airborne exposure to peanut butter, no one developed allergic symptoms or anaphylaxis. Many parents are concerned that the presence of any peanut products can contaminate the surrounding airborne environment making the entire area and room unsafe for a child with peanut allergy. It is necessary to understand several facts to explain reactions from airborne exposure. First, specific food proteins trigger all allergic reactions. Without contact with the protein, there is no allergic reaction. Second, food proteins are aerosolized into a vapor by the high heating of cooking such as boiling or frying. Airborne exposure consists of small amounts of food protein that can trigger allergic reactions, usually skin rashes and breathing problems. The typical inhalation reaction will be similar to a cat allergic person entering a room with a cat and developing itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. The chance of a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction from airborne exposure is very small. Is smelling the odor of a food similar to inhaling food protein? The chemicals in food that cause odors are not proteins. These chemicals stimulate nerve endings in the nose, which the brain senses as odors. Therefore, odors are not capable of causing allergic reactions. In summary, inhalation of peanut protein can cause allergic reactions but usually not systemic anaphylaxis while odors can cause conditioned physiologic responses. In a well-vented school cafeteria located away from the kitchen and food preparation area, the main source of peanut protein would be from direct ingestion or skin contact, not airborne contact. Another concern is that peanut residue found on surfaces can cause anaphylaxis. An excellent double blind placebo controlled study on causal contact with peanut butter published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in July 2003 by Steven J. Simonte, M.D., definitely showed that systemic anaphylaxis does not result from skin contact or smelling peanut butter. These casual contacts have caused skin rashes only. There is no evidence that casual contact and minor exposures from inhalation or skin contact have worsened a peanut allergy. Most serious exposure is through direct ingestion with subsequent symptoms. Most reasonable action plans include 1) no food sharing, 2) hand washing, and 3) peanut-free zones. These guidelines will prevent most allergic reactions. They will also prevent skin contact causing indirect ingestion or mucosal contact (e.g. kissing, wiping eyes or mouth with a hand contaminated with peanut butter, etc.). The anxiety that comes from being prepared for the worst-case scenario can be allayed by the knowledge that casual contact probably will not cause anaphylaxis and not worsen the allergy long-term. Further, the likelihood of peanut cross-reacting with other legumes, such as soybean, or fruits with pits is small. The apparent increase in peanut allergy has occurred along with the apparent increase in allergic diseases in children. This opinion was expressed by Gideon Lack, MD, of the Imperial College, London, in The New England Journal of Medicine (2003; 348:977-985) article on peanut allergy in childhood. The investigators also concluded that the intake of soymilk or soy formula or the presence of an oozing and crusting rash were associated with peanut allergy. In addition peanut allergy was associated with positive family history of peanut allergy, and exposure to topical preparations containing peanut oil. They found no association with maternal consumption of peanuts during pregnancy, arguing against peanut sensitization in utero. Similarly, breast-feeding did not increase the likelihood of peanut allergy. I hope this information helps clarify any confusion about appropriate guidelines for schools and daycare facilities with children and adults with peanut allergy. Further information is available at the Food Allergy Network, 10400 Eaton Place, Suite 107, Fairfax, Va. 22030-2208. E-mail: faan@foodallergy.org Paul A.Shapero, M. D., is an allergist in Bangor.

South

Violet

to New

Okay- I will read your lengthy blabber later!! My daughter is 4!!!!! At 8 months old my mother walked past her out side (my daughter was in her high chair)carrying 2 pb&j - my baby (not aware of her allergies!!) broke out with hives all over her entire body!! It has NOTHING to do with knowledge of your allergy. I will read your entry later- if it isn't any smarter than the first couple lines-visit another website!

Virginia

Barbara

New member

Despite what the articles you cited, there have been cases of reactions to p-nut butter in the air as Violet stated. An 8 month old child could hardly "think" herself into having an allergic reaction. Your post states that handwashing would help prevent transfer of residue. Yes, it would but what child is going to take the time to thoroughly wash up enough to get ALL of the proteins off when they are in a hurry to get out on that playground? For that matter, how many lunchroom supervisors are not going to try to speed the process along so they can get the kids herded outside? It also states: "The chance of a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction from airborne exposure is very small", "The anxiety that comes from being prepared for the worst-case scenario can be allayed by the knowledge that casual contact probably will not cause anaphylaxis and not worsen the allergy long-term". The chance of an anaphylactic reaction being small and that casual contact PROBABLY wouldn't cause an anaphylactic reaction is not good enough for most parents. Would it honestly be good enough for you. Btw, these articles are a few years old already. Do you have any more recent examples? I'll do a search myself and see what I can find. It may take a while but I for one would be interested to see what they say now. I know my daughter's allergist has told us to avoid contact because repeated exposures CAN increase sensitivity. He's the head of the food allergy department at the University of Michigan so I trust that HE knows what he's talking about.

Michigan

New

airbourne

Barbara, I did find a newer article, but have only attached the title below as the site’s filter wouldn’t let me attached the abstract. Basically, a food that causes a 15 mm wheal on a skin test will not cause an airborne reaction. I'm sorry if people take offense to this, but I take it as very good news and am always happy to get good news about my child's allergy. In answer to your question about whether this was good enough to risk it. First, many of you are already risking it every day as it is, so clearly many of you find the risks outweigh the benefits. Secondly, there is a much bigger chance that any child will be killed or seriously injured in a car accident than a child with an allergy will die of an allergic reaction. If you allow your child to ride in a car at any time, then you are already taking a bigger risk with them than that indicated in the study. Once again, this is not about hurting feeling, but about putting things in perspective and realizing that things are not as bad as they seem. Here is the info: Codreanu F, Moneret-Vautrin DA, Morisset M, Guenard L, Rance F, Kanny G, Lemerdy P. The risk of systemic reactions to skin pk-tests using food allergens: CICBAA data and literature review. Allerg Immunol (Paris). 2006 Feb;38(2):52-4. Review.

south

New

clarification

Barbara, I the interest of full disclosure I should add that I read the abstract only, not the article, so don’t know details about the study; were they double blind, etc. This is simply the top article the came up after I put the search phrase “airborne peanut allergy” into a medical search engine. I couldn’t read the full article as my university does not subscribe to it. I say this so no one will take this as the gospel truth on the subject. If you do find an article on airborne allergies, please post it. I will be interested to see the mechanism by which a non-volatile molecule can become volatile without another agent acting upon it (heat, etc.). As for the contact issue, I won’t start a discussion on that. You should obviously follow your doctor’s orders about any of these issues. The airborne issue may be worth asking about, though. Think of what a positive impact that could have not just on your child’s school years but on their entire life.

south

Barbara

New

I appreciate what you say and what you are trying to do. I understand that you're attempting to ease the nervousness many of us have about airborn reactions and appreciate it though I'm not convinced. Experts and doctors can say all they want but when a child like Violet's reacts without even knowing an allergy exists experience outweighs professional opinions to me. I get what you say about putting her in the car but as a responsible parent, I do everything possible to maintain her safety there so why wouldn't I do the same in public and at home? It just makes sense. I haven't had a chance to search for anything yet today. I may not get to it until later tonight or tomorrow. Kinda tough being the only parent home with a four-year-old for most of the day/evening...they require a LOT of attention as so many of us know!! LOL I have to admit, I'm finding this conversation interesting and look forward to it continuing. I wonder if we shouldn't take it to the forum area though since this thread is about p-nut free schools.

Michigan

Violet

new

I apologize for the attitude earlier. I did read the rest of the article- it is from a while back. New research is done all the time. I'll let you know if I find anything too. It's is a bit offensive when people believe things because a doctor wrote them. I've seen it and lived it. My job is to protect my children. I will educate everyone with what I know, not what I hope. I've seen it - it IS real. I am also -believe it or not- open to learning more. We have to be cautious. Barbara-thank you for everything- you're a great new part of this!!

Virginia

Barbara

Airborne

I found this article this morning while searching for stuff on airborne exposures: http://www.inbio.com/pdf_files/publications/Perry-Arah1.pdf I don't want to copy and paste the whole thing (and I don't even know if it would let me) but it does support what "New" has been saying. While I can't explain Violet's daughter's reaction or others who have had similar experiences (young child or unknown allergy yet a reaction to the air occurred), it does bring a tiny bit of relief to me. Not saying I'm going to completely let my guard down but it does make me feel a teeny bit better. Also found it interesting to read that dishsoap didn't completely remove the protein residue. I was always under the impression that it did. So now there's a new concern for me regarding how people wash their dishes/utensils. If dishsoap doesn't remove it and using a dishwasher can spread the protein all around how exactly are people supposed to fully clean their utensils/dishes? Ya see? We get a tiny break from one worry and a new one pops right up. Yippee. Oh, and I know this too is an older article ('04) but I thought it was pretty good. I'm going to keep looking but thought I'd throw this out there. Thank you to NEW for getting me to look into this further. Any bit of relief from added worry is welcome! :-)

Michigan

Autism Mother

Remove ALL food allegins??

I believe it is very sad that I see many parents of Peanut allergic children all for a Peanut product ban, because it suits your childs needs. Many other children suffer from food severe food allergies, which cause anaphylaxis. Apparently those children do not matter to you since their needs are not imposed onto your life...... For example, I am told that "It's just peanut butter, feed your kids soy!" INCLUDING having the principle send home a jar of it, WITHOUT asking if anyone in my home is allergic, WHICH ONE OF MY CHILDREN IS ALLERGIC............... I have to deal with food allergies, allergies to medicines, and bug bite allergies with my children, each child is differnet. How dare the school ban peanut products, without banning dairy products, soy products, wheat products, fish products, shellfish products, etc. Some have stated above that their is "NO ROOM FOR ERROR!" when that actually means "No room for error, WITH YOUR CHILD". (This is not meant to be a personal attack against anyone, however many posters only believe peanut products should be banned) ...............I have compasion for all of the families of dieabled children because my youngest spent the last 2 years of pre-school amongst them. ((((not sure how, but my previous post was misunderstood, my child has not been teased, nor would my child mentally understand it, but other kids do. I am just stating that parents of special needs kids have been dealing with their children being segregated to accomidate the childs needs, peanut allergic kids are special needs kids too))) I am very suprised to read that parents of children with food allergies are not trying to remove all foods from school that can cause anaphylaxis if consumed............... If you are going to ban, I will only support it, IF it is a ban that addresses ALL SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES. No need to discriminate, ban all food allergins.

Indiana

Reesa

For Autism Mother

For Autism Mother - You just don't get it. Your comments just seem to discriminate against peanut allergies, something you get upset over when someone does it to your child with autism. Peanut allergies are different, and easier to transmit than other dangerous food allergies. Geesh!

Utah

Violet

Autism mother

1) This is the ABC peanut page!! 2)I think most of us have children with multiple food allergies- and yes if there are other severe (airborne/contact) allergies-we support a ban

Virginia

Autism Mother

Last post

Reesa-- Since I didn't clairify... I did not get upset about something that happened to my autistic child, nothing happened. I have another child with food allergies, soy is one of them........... Allergic Response to Peanut Inhalation & Skin Contact, Dr. Scott Sicherer, 2002-2003 Scott Sicherer, MD Mount Sinai School of Medicine A serious concern among parents of children with severe peanut allergy is that casual contact to peanut butter by skin contact or inhalation (smell) could trigger a severe reaction. However, there were no specific studies to address this concern. With the kind support of the Geduld Family and FAI, Dr. Sicherer and colleagues at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute conducted a study to address this important issue. They selected 30 children with “severe” peanut allergy (high allergy tests to peanut and/or prior reactions to casual exposure). Each child was exposed to 1/2 cup of peanut butter held a foot from their nose for ten minutes and to a pea-sized amount of peanut butter pressed onto their back for 1 minute. The peanut butter was masked to hide odor and similar appearing “placebos” were used to avoid bias. None of the children responded to the inhalation. A third of them had redness, itch or a single hive on the skin, but only in the exact spot touched by peanut.................... This is my last post, apparently even though it states for Visitors to share their opinion............that is not what is wanted here...My apologies

Indiana

Barbara

Autism mom

They ACTUALLY sent a jar of soybutter to your home??? I'm not doubting you here, just astonished that they would presume to do such a thing! That is just WRONG!! I can hear that you are extremely frustrated and I'm sorry. I know your life can't be an easy one with what you deal with daily. Honestly though, PA parents are not the enemy. I've been trying to research airborne exposures, risks from residue and increased sensitivity from exposure among other things. From everything I've read so far, many "experts" feel that while their studies would indicate that reaction to the mere smell of pb shouldn't cause a reaction, whether it actually does is inconclusive. I've read numerous accounts - such as Violet's - of where very young children have reacted to the smell. We've been told by our allergist that it's a risk for my daughter as well and he is the head of the food allergy department. While doing my searches, on the aaai site they stated that peanut allergy is the leading cause of anaphylactic deaths from food allergies. As far as why we fight so hard for a peanut/nut ban and not for the other allergens, at least in my case, is because 1)the proteins are so much more difficult to remove, probably because they are so oily 2)I've never heard of even the possibility of a reaction to any other food through smell (aside from when shrimp or the like are cooking, which I've never heard of in schools) and 3) I don't advocate for other food allergies because I don't have firsthand experience in dealing with them. That being said, if it came down to the choice between a child's life and MY convenience? The child's life would win hands-down. In my opinion, this life isn't an "me" against "you" situation, or it shouldn't be anyway. It should be a "Hey, let's help each other keep our children safe" kind of world. I know if I were to see a child in danger of being harmed I step in and do something about it whether it be a little one standing up on the seat of a shopping cart when mommy's back is turned to prevent a nasty fall or trying to offer support to a weary parent who's lost patience with a tired child. I, for one, am not against you or anyone else who is dealing with a difficult situation. I'm all for doing what I can to help make your life less worrisome and therefor, I expect no less in return. I honestly don't think anyone here on earth has all of the answers so we've all got to do our best with what we have and look out for one another as well. Again,I'm sorry about the school sending the soy to your home, I'd be really mad too!

Michigan

Barbara

Autism mom (again)

I hope you change your mind about not posting anymore. I'd also like to clarify that while airborne reactions haven't been completely ruled out by all experts, that isn't the only concern of the PA parent in regard to having a p-nut/nut free environment at school. I know we've been focusing the most on the airborne exposures and it's a huge controversy but to be honest, my biggest concern is the residue on everything from playground equipment to drinking fountains (though I'm trying to teach her not to use them at this point) to anything they touch in the classroom. I know that so many say that handwashing is the answer but, as I said before, those kids are in a huge hurry to get out those doors to the playground and the supervisors are in just as big of a hurry to get them there. I find it extremely difficult to believe that, while the intentions are the best, the rules will be adhered to. If I could be sure that she wouldn't come into contact with residue from a classmate, I'd be comfortable with a p-nut/nut free section or table in the lunchroom and the classrooms themselves being p-nut/nut free. I don't want to make anyone else's life more difficult but I also don't want my daughter to be traumatized or lose her precious life due to being too accomodating to other's wants. Again, I hope you'll change your mind, you've gotten me thinking and that's usually a good thing! LOL

Michigan

Len

Moderator Comments

To the Autism mom, you are definitely welcome here. Some people here may have thought you put them on the defensive with some comments, but the bottom line is we support all children, whether it is peanut allergy, or autism. Barbara and Violet are two quality people who visit the ABC forum often and share their wealth of knowledge. I invite you to visit and comment there as well. To me, every child deserves a chance to be in a safe environment. Please come back and visit often. Len (Moderator)

New Jersey

Violet

Autism mother

You are welcome here. I hope I didn't seem rude by saying it's the peanut page. That's just what brought me here. As Len told me we can discuss all allergies. It's a great support group honestly. This is the only site I visit regularly. Communication with schools is so important-they need to be aware of all of your children's needs-our elementary school-though Alexa is only 4-has been aware of her allergies. They couldn't have any peanut products if they wanted help with parties -and they knew not to send the stuff home. The middle school had to find out as well-because they were going to make pb cookies in my son's class-therefore contaminating one of my kids-NOT!! Anyway-I hope you do come back-I've been kind of funky lately and haven't really been getting the point. So I apologize.

Virginia

Tina

"I have an idea!"

I have read several comments suggesting that children with peanut allergies should be home schooled in order to not disrupt those whom are lucky enough not to have to deal with this burden. It may just be possible that the parents of those children are not creative or intelligent or patient enough to come up with new lunch ideas for their children. Perhaps they should be teaching their children to be sympathetic and kind to other people in the world and accept others differences. If they are so worried that their children may miss their daily dose of PB&J maybe they should homeschool their children and make peanuts part of the curriculum.

Toronto, Ontario

Barbara

Tina

:-} There must be a solution to the conflict between "us" and "them", a way to educate the people who don't get it without offending and alienating them. I know before we knew that Halli was allergic I had no idea that it was really that big of a problem. I don't know what the solution is but I do know that I don't envy the school administrators that have to try to appease both sides of the argument. Kudos to those that are able to keep their sanity! If it were more like a milk allergy or an egg allergy where the residue wasn't as big of an issue I think I'd be comfortable with a peanut/nut free zone in the lunchroom. As it is, I'm really not sure. All I keep picturing are sticky peanut butter hands all over the playground equipment and other school stuff. I wonder how it would work if it was required that you send wipes in the lunches. Something to reduce the risk of residue being left behind. I'm just bouncing ideas around in my head here because I've got to figure out what I'm going to expect when Halli goes to kdg next year.

Michigan

Kay

Peanut Butter is not the issue

For all of the people who keep saying. "It's just peanut butter" IT IS NOT. It is also peanuts, granola bars, pecan sandies, snack mixes, browies with nuts, cookies with nuts, chex mix, etc, etc. Several times I have now had food removed from my child and thrown away. Yes, i realize that you live with this everyday, but now SO DO I. And I'm sorry it is ridiculous. Again, you are assuming that I am going to shop in such a way that your child won't be harmed. Would you send your child to my house without ever meeting me? No. If your child has an allergy that is so bad it could kill them, you are entrusting that I am protecting them. And again, not just me, but my husband, a sitter, anyone who takes care of my children. I think that is negligent. I honestly do. And no, I am not going to set the pantry up in my house and mark it to protect someone else's child. Just in case I'm sick one morning and my husband makes lunch. It is unreasonable to expect me to. It is unreasonable to expect me to to base my food budget on more expensive food. And YES, soynut butter is MUCH more expensvie. More than 50% more. I love my childrens school. Except for this demand. I will persevere and not change schools for now over this issue. But I will probably transfer my children out earlier than I would have. Not this year, but maybe next. It is ashame, it is otherwise an excellent school.

Delaware

Larissa

Kay

You sound like a pretty selfish individual. Too bad you only care about your child and no one else's kids. Your school will be a happier place when you transfer out. Bye!

Wisconsin

Barb

Dear Kay

Wow, Kay. Thanks for your sensitivity. I hope your child does not have to deal with people like you.

Ohio, US

Violet

Kay

Thank God for healthy children. If I saw a child in harm's way-I'd help. That's the way my parents taught me to be. Kay I will pray for you and your family. Just try to educate yourself. There are lists of normal kid friendly foods that are safe. And SUNBUTTER IS NOT 50% MORE EXPENSIVE!! (and it's better than soynut butter) Chicken nuggets and pizza afre fun to pack for lunch- very kid friendly and oh my goodness peanut free!!

Virginia

Barbara

Kay

Let me start off by saying this is not an attack on you. I get that you're frustrated and I agree, it's NOT just peanut butter. That statement makes me crazy too. I also understand that it must be aggravating that you need to shop as if your child has the allergy when that's simply not the case. If it were the case though, what would you want for your child? My daughter is just in preschool right now and I'm trying to figure out what to expect and what is too much to expect from the school she'll be going to next year. What, in your opinion, is a reasonable solution to the problem that enables ALL of our children to attend the same school with a reasonable amount of safety for them? Would a peanut/nut-free zone in the lunchroom and peanut/nut-free classrooms work for parents such as yourself that have such a difficult time giving it up completely? Would you be willing to make sure that your child has brushed his/her teeth after eating peanuts for breakfast before coming to school (which I would assume would normally be done in most homes anyway)? I understand that you think what you've been asked is too much but what ARE you willing to do?...that is in no way a challenge, just an honest-to-goodness question from a parent that's trying to figure it out. Thank you if you're willing to give me an honest, non-hostile answer. It's kind of tough not to get on the defensive when you're on either side of the fence.

Michigan

Barbara

Kay

I'd also like to add, though I don't know that you've ever suggested it, that private schools aren't an answer for many of us because the cost is so great. Paying $90 a month for preschool is causing us to tighten our belts a bit. I'm a sahm so we're on one income that has been reduced because of the wonderful economy. In addition, we have the added expense of the allergist bills and prescriptions for the epi and a daily antihistimine. For us, private schooling is out and that wouldn't necessarily guarantee that they would be nut free any way, especially if they don't receive federal funding. They don't have to go by the ADA. Homeschooling is out also. Not only is the socialization important to many of us, it would be yet another added expense that we can't afford. We do pay taxes that help fund the public schools so why shouldn't our child be allowed to receive an education in a safe environment like everyone else? They aren't a disruption in class, just an inconvenience to the parents. This is also a great opportunity to teach your kids compassion for others and to see that others sometimes have bigger hurdles to overcome than they do.

Michigan

jen

no ban

I agree that a ban of peanuts and tree nut products is innappropriate. What these parents (of allergic children) are discussing are issues associated with special education. Since, what they are saying is that the child receive special individualized care in an educational setting which includes the lunchroom (where social/emotional goals are taught), then they should be identified as such and receive self-contained education since that is what appears to be appropriate for the child. I mean, eat in a classroom-not among other students that could effect them. This may sound rediculous but, as a parent of a non allergic child, I feel that my child felt just as isolated when she, because she brought peanut butter to school, was moved by a parent of an allergic child to a different table to sit away from the entire class. It was apparently ok to separate my child. And people wonder why the support of these "peanut free" cafeterias in school is inconsistent and minimal.

s carolina

Todd

Living in a Free World

There should be a peanut-free room, and a milk-free room, and an egg-free room, a wheat-free room, a fish-free room, etc...So contact your school boards and insight that they build larger buildings so that all children will be safe. Makes sense doesn't it. If you believe there should be an "free" rooms you are a bunch of morons!!

West Virginia

Barbara

Jen

So, you're upset because your child was isolated (which I agree was wrong, your child should have been allowed to have a friend or two sit with him or her) for ONE meal but yet you feel that it's ok to isolate someone else's child for EVERY meal? I am understanding you correctly or did I miss something? How is it right to isolate any child? A child with an allergy isn't choosing to have this to deal with and I promise you, these kids feel left out of a LOT of things. Why are so many people in this world so self centered???? I guarantee you that not a single parent or person with a nut allergy has asked to have it to deal with. Not one of us has been given a choice. You think it's difficult to see your child excluded from ONE thing? Try walking a mile or two in our shoes once. It's not an easy thing at all. Can you imagine how your heart would break when you see sadness or worse yet, fear, in your child's eyes because of something that someone else is eating that they know could make them seriously ill; To see the fear and have to reassure her that you're doing everything you can to keep her from getting sick? So many are so quick to judge us as parents. We walk a very, very thin line here. It is up to us to educate our children, to teach them to watch out for themselves in the real world while at the same time protect them from the things that can make them sick. The younger years in school (if you're lucky enough to find one that will cooperate with you) are like learning to ride a two-wheeled bike with training wheels on. You teach them while they are still relatively safe so you can one day take the training wheels off so they can live their lives freely. I'm honestly not yelling at you or criticizing you. I know that it's not an easy thing for people of non-allergic children to understand, that it would be easier for you if we just kept our kids away from yours but then how do either of us teach our children to adapt to others? Again, I absolutely agree that it was wrong for your child to have to sit alone, in no way, shape or form do I defend whoever did that.

Michigan

Kay

My frustration with this

I should start by saying that I should know better than to type angry. Sometimes you need to breathe before you press "send". But if I read one more comment of" Geez, its just a pb&j" Or "If your kid HAS to have his pb&J then maybe you should homeschool" That is ridicuous coming on a board like this. If it was easy enough to just eliminate penut butter, there wouldn't be a problem. And I have no idea what sunnutbutter is if it isn't soy nut butter. That is what my school approves. And it is very expensive, at least where I live. I did order a case from Amazon, and it was cheaper in bulk. But only one of my 3 kids will eat it, so now i have to make multiple lunches, but I digress. Sure I could sent chicken nuggets and pizza every day. If I want my kids to have a weight problem. But what am I suppossed to send as a dessert ? How about the am snack? That is what I always have trouble with. No trail mix, no chex mix, no granola bars. As a vegetarian, we eat a lot of peanuts and peanut butter as a source of protein. So, I literally have to shop for home and school as two totally different entities. Anyway, here is the bottom line. I've read a lot of people say that they don't eat things that say "May contain" because well, they "May contain". It seems to me that the peanut ban has the same problem. You are assuming that every parent of every child in the school has remembered not to send anything in with peanuts every day. I think that it is a false sense of security. You are trusting your childs life to people who you don't know. I'm a very responsible , follow the rules stable person. And I've sent nuts into school accidentally more than once. What about the mother who is suffering from depression? Who is on food stamps? What about the father who lost his wife recently and is trying to adjust to being a single parent? Or the parent who is constantly being harrassed by credit agencies because they just can't keep their life together? Do you think that they are gonna remember not to send Pecan Sandies into school tomorrow? And their kid isn't going to sit next to your kid? It is false sense of security. It isn't going to ensure a safe enviroment for your child. I honestly think that a peanut free table/zone is a better solution. That way there is a monitered place that can be controlled. I have no problem with peanut free classrooms. That would actually be beneficial I think for the child obesity problem. Why should they be eating so much in the classroom? It could be just like home "You only eat at the table". In school: "You only eat in the cafeteria" Same idea. I don't know that we EVER have peanuts for breakfast? Can't think of anything but I have no problem with a teeth brushing/ hand washing rule. The more they wash their hands, the less everyone gets sick. So I would have no problem with a wash hands after lunch rule either. I probably would have no problem with any idea aside from this total ban. I am more than happy to make accomadations. I just think that this ban is unreasonable, impractical, and doesn't really ensure a safe enviroment. Which makes it more frustrating.

Delaware

Violet

Kay

I'm starting to enjoy talking with you Kay. My daughter is airborne and contact- honestly I don't expect a ban- I'm not sure with 600 families and 100+ staff that it's really possible. It's products with peanuts or peanut flour etc in them. Alexa can't be around peanut products at all. May contain- we avoid eating- I don't think it would affect her if she's around (for example animal crackers). Go to sunbutter.com- I promise if you order a jar- you and your kids will not regret it. Please remember I have 2 older sons that had to ban it from their lives also. It's not easy- it is possible. What if you just buy certain things safe for school? I'd say what about school lunches- but the vegetarian options are not much better usually than the meat version. You seemed to be less hateful in the last entry. I'm not sure if we all believe a ban to happen or intend to force it. Where most of us live- it's not happening- in my situation- we have 18 elementary schools in this county- I asked if ONE could become peanut free. It still leaves options open for those who protest the ban. Kay do your kids attend public or private school? And maybe a Todd free room would be good- not morons- PARENTS!!!!!!

Virginia

Barbara

Kay

Thank you for coming back and replying. It's good for us to hear the other side sometimes. I get the whole "typing when angry" thing, it's difficult not to do! LOL I couldn't agree more about the food in the classrooms these days in relation to the childhood obesity! These kids seem to have to eat everywhere, every time. Snacks at school (I can see sending in carrots or a piece of fruit or something but so many cupcakes?? Come on!!), treats after soccer practice, bigger treats after a game, ice cream after EVERY baseball game and the list continues. Gee, why are so many of our kids obese? Hmmmm... As far as going nut free in the schools, I think the train of thought isn't that everyone thinks the children will be totally safe at all times but it reduces the risk of exposure exponentially. Without a ban, nut products are brought in freely and there will be residue spread throughout the school and playground. I'm about convinced that I could be relatively comfortable with nut free (and that means totally nut free, would you believe we have to watch out for bird seed and hacky sacks?) classrooms and a nut free zone/table in the cafeteria as long as everyone washes their hands before leaving the room. That's where I see the problems come into play though, I don't believe it'll happen. Oh, and the peanuts for breakfast thing? I was referring to pb toast or granola bars or something along those lines. Not specific to your household but many do go this route. Thanks again for the dialogue, it's helping immensely on my end. PS Sunbutter is made from sunflower seeds. They make a few different varieties and I've actually seen it in a few stores around here.

Michigan

Sal

Hey Todd

Hey Todd, why don't we build a moron free room while we are at it just to keep you out :) Just a one time visitor here, but people like you Todd are the problem, not the answer. Save your sarcasm for someone who cares!

New York

Mike

peanut free

For those of you saying the parents of a child with an allergy should just deal with it you need to spend a weekend in an ER. We have been there on many occasions, the last was a cross contamination at the factory. My wife maid chick and rice and our boy ended up in the ER. We have no peanut products in our house. thats how easy it is to lose a child. Imagine having it in the schools and no one there to react in time, how woud you feel having killed my child because you wanted your child to be able to eat peanuts at school. this is not just something where the kid just gets a shot and he is better, they stop breathing and if not attended to in a matter of minutes will have terminal affects. You people need to relize the severity of this issue and not fight it but hellp educate.

Washington

Sean

Todd

Mike-tell that to jerky Todd. What a creep.

Florida

Barbara

Mike, Sean, Sal

Aw c'mon folks! If you look on the bright side of Todd's open hostility toward those of us who are dealing with these allergies on a daily basis, at least we know where he stands, right? He makes it glaringly obvious that we need to watch out for him. With his self-centered, mean attitude we know that he's probably the type of person that would sneak it into school in his kid's lunch just out of spite. Pretty sad for us, but even more so for him and his kid because that would be teaching his child that if they don't like the rule they can ignore it. Hahaha...can you imagine how his kid is going to react the next time he tries to make a rule that the child doesn't like? Ok, I don't know for a fact that Todd would ever do such a thing; he never said that. I must be honest. What I am saying is that we know to watch the people like him and even try to feel sorry for them. Can you imagine going through life so angry and mean? How sad.

Michigan

Florida

Ha Ha

Barbara-- lol, good one.

Ivana

Klesa

Todd

I had to search to see what Todd had written because he got some response. Not that I want to dignify his remarks with my comments, but I enjoy reading comments like that. It helps show the world what ignorance peanut allergic families have to deal with. Usually comments like his gets people to support my cause, getting nut free schools. It shows the dangers out there with some parents who don't care if they kill a child due to their own selfishness. I applaud you Todd, keep those stupid remarks coming.

Florida, USA

Kay

Kid in the ER

Mike, I think that most parents spend some time in the ER with their kids, whether for an allergy or a poisoning or an accident or an athsma attack or a dog bite all of which can sometimes be fatal. Or sadly sometimes for diabetes, cancer or some other disease that could or will kill them. It is part of the package and not at all exclusive to PA parents. But your post undermines, I think, your goal. What you are telling me is that even if I turn my life upside down to try keep peanuts away from your kid, it still doesn't matter? Because even chicken and rice can send your child to the hospital? Then what is the point of my child not eating peanuts every day? Wouldn't it make more sense to have your child eat at a peanut free table and always have an adult monitor him who has an epi pen available? Also, several people have asked, so I wanted to mention that my children attend a private school.

Delaware

Barbara

Kay

Kay, in my opinion, you aren't going through all of this for nothing. If everyone makes the effort, the risk is cut dramatically. A child sitting next to mine, eating something that "May contain" isn't very likely to cause a reaction (in my opinion). If MY CHILD ingests a "May contain", that's a whole different story. I'm pretty sure that even a private school by law must accomodate a child with severe food allergies if the school receives any financial assistance from the government. It may be that their hands are tied in the matter. I don't know how far they have to go with it though. They may just be afraid of lawsuits or something happening under their watch so they're being extra vigilant. I can see where it's annoying for you but I can also see it bringing a huge amount of peace of mind for the other child's parents. I agree, it doesn't completely erase any chance for accidental exposure but it greatly reduces the risks. It's a tough situation, that's for sure.

Michigan

Katie

Kay

With all do respect Kay, you cannot compare peanut allergy hospital visits to many of the ones you noted. Many of your comparisons are out of us parents control. It is our duty as parents to try and protect all children if we can. Not having peanut products at lunch is more within our control, unlike cancer. Just an opinion though.

Minnesota

Carissa

Katie

Very good point Katie.

New York

Kay

Katie

I respectfully disagree. For example, dog bites are responsible for over 333,000 ER visits every year. The vast majority (77%) are from a family dog or a friends dog. (Dogbitelaw.com) And yet gettting a dog is totally within a parents control. Swimming pools are the number one cause of accidental death in children under age 4. In 2001, 859 children under 14 died in swimming pool accidents. (CPSC) And yet the decision to get a swimming pool is completely within a parents control. If you have a dog or a swimming pool you could be the cause of death or serious injury to another child. Are you in favor of banning both of them? You would be protecting "ALL CHILDREN" as you say. It would save hundreds of thousands of children from ER visits every year. Besides, Mike was saying that I "you people" need to spend some time in an ER to understand his position. I actually have spent time in an ER due to a dog bite 2X in the last three years. I do understand the severity of the issue. And "not having peanut products at lunch is more within our control" is not possible. Or within your contol. It would be easire to ban swimming pools. And again, according to Mike's post, doesn't solve the problem since it was unrelated to his child's last ER visit.

Delaware

Jenny

peanut free

Peanut Free is a person who avoids peanuts. Not a person who expectes the entire world to conform to his/her dissability.

GA

Jenny

peanut free

Peter Cavanagh I have 2 words to say to you. Home School!!!

GA

Jenny

spoiled

Deanna, to spoiled or too spoiled or just spoiled enough that they LIKE the taste and nutrition found in a peanut. And why do you feel you should be parenting my child in what he/she eats....you all are crazy and you're driving everyone crazy with your psychotic notion that because YOUR child has a disability ALL children should be disabled. BY all means protect your child but you can't expect the rest of the world to care for your child more than they care for their own....this is getting way out of hand!

GA

Jenny

Sorry

Sorry Joey DeMaria, I think she's right and so do the majority of people I talk to. You're the one out of sync with the real world. Personally I think all the kids should be fit with a muzzle and a funnel. And forced to wash their hands with industrial strength detergent till their skin falls off...where do we draw the line on this?

GA

Jenny

Jill J

Hey Jill, I'm sure if your kid was allergic to water you'd expect it!

GA

Jenny

Diane

Finally! Right there with you Diane...I'm not absolutely insensitive just very angry...this morning MORE restrictions were put out at our school regarding what my son could bring for lunch.....I always tell him not to share. And I understand that this is a severe problem for some people (some) being the key word....I just feel this is getting way out of hand and people with food allergies are making it out to be then non-allergy persons problem...hate to tell you ITS not! We can be sensitive but it's still up to you all to deal with it. The more you push the angrier others are going to get.

GA

Jenny

still reading

For all of you parents with food allergy children.. you accuse non-allergy people of being insensitive but have you ever considered how insensitive it is of YOU to throw your child out into the world when they can't breath with a peanut around? STAY home with them if they are only pre-school? Home school? I know it would be nice to always have someone else to blame if something should go wrong....but aren't YOU the one that should ALWAYS be responsible? If you love your disabled child YOU accommodate them by being with them.

GA

Mary

Lilly is DEAD WRONG

Until you have a child with a contact allergy to nuts you will never know. Your child's "right" to eat nuts does not trump my child's "right" to be ALIVE. They clearly need more education where you're from.

Michigan

Barbara

Jenny

Wow Jenny, I hope you just had a really bad day when you spit all of those angry words. It's not healthy to be that hostile. To be honest, I kind of resent you lumping all of the parents of kids with food allergies together and referring to us as "crazy". That would be like "us" calling ALL parents of non-allergic kids insensitive, uncaring jerks. If all of "us" were to homeschool our children, how exactly are they to learn to deal with their allergies in the real world? Do you expect them to just remain at home with mommy and daddy for the rest of their lives? As with anything, the education process takes time and experience. Is it honestly THAT big of a deal for your child to have to go without p-nuts and nuts(notice I'm not saying just p-nut butter here) during the school day so that another child is able to have a more normal life? These kids are not mentally disabled, they see very clearly the things that they miss out on all of the time. They don't cause a distraction to the education of other students, they just need a few accomodations in order for them to be safer (again, notice I didn't say completely safe) while in school. Do you rant and rave about the person who needs the handicapped parking spot on a day when it's pouring down rain? My guess would be no, yet it still inconveniences you. I just cannot comprehend why it is such a big deal to a lot of people like yourself. If you see a child in harm's way, what do you do? You step in to help, right? Whether it's your own child or not so where is the difference? Why is it so difficult to be willing to help another parent try to keep their child safer? That wasn't meant as a snotty comment, it's a legitimate question. If you'd be so kind as to answer it in an honest, civilized way, maybe when you aren't so angry, I'd greatly appreciate it because I simply do not understand where you are coming from.

Michigan

Mary

I...See...Stupid...People

You know, my son started Kindergarten today. They are going to ask that the children not bring nuts of any form to school. Don't you naysayers realize that I am not asking you to give up peanuts/tree nuts forever? Is it so much to ask that if your kid is that "in love" with nuts that they receive them when they get off the bus or for an evening snack? Slather it all over their beds for all I care. Some of you are horrible, rotten people who, I can only pray, receive your own hatred back at you... Don't bother responding to this post... I will never visit this site with such pro-peanut hitler-loving activists ever again. Why don't we just line up the nut allergy kids and send em to concentration camps where they belong?

Michigan

Violet

Jenny

I'll pray for you. Look up some other information to educate yourself. Then come back to this site and respond. If you could imagine what we feel as parents- it's not safe anywhere. Our children are NOT disabled. They don't need a special classroom or table. They need a safer environment.

Virginia

Linda

Jenny

Jenny, angry much. I am a first grade teacher. Last year, I had a child go into anaphylactic shock due to a parent like you Jenny. She resented all the rules put in place because she was only thinking of her child. She only saw the world for black and white. Now, she wonders what would have happened if she killed the child in my class. She has completely changed her tone, only because she now has to live with her mistake that almost cost a life. Your analogies are just crazy. Comparing peanut allergy emergency room visits to dog bites or pool deaths just do not make sense. Even though the numbers are high as you suggested for those 2 emergency room visits, we, as parents, still try to prevent it - aren't we. If a child had to go to the emergency room because of your dog or your pool, aren't you going to change the way other children act at your pool or around your dog? Schools also have that right to protect the peanut allergy child. Your hostility and lack of respect for the families with peanut allergy make it hard to support your cause.

Florida

CR

Jenny

Jenny, I pray that your child never has this allergy and has to deal with people like you.

New Jersey

Keith

Jenny

Sad commentary of today's parent. Selfish and lack of sensitivity.

West Virginia

Barbara

Mike Eisenhart of Seattle

I'm still reading some of the earlier posts and I don't know if you're even still reading here. I have a question for you though. How exactly is avoiding p-nuts/nuts holding your child back? Education-wise, it doesn't affect learning in any way shape or form. I can see clearly how it's an inconvenience when you aren't used to it, but "holding your child back"? How???????

Michigan

jennifer alba

yah

actually, i do not know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Australia

Lori

I don't know

Barbara, I don't know either.

Connecticut

Erin

What?

I for one am allergic to peanuts, walnuts, ANY nuts... In my highschool peanuts are completely out of the school. It is my principals responsibility to make school safe for me. I cant breathe, touch, eat, anything containing nuts. I developed this allergy last year, and before that if someone would have told me no peanuts I would have said the same thing, "I have a right to eat what I want!" Now I am thankful that my school is taking action and helping me be safe in school. I agree that every school should go peanut free because kids my age and younger shouldnt have to wake up in the morning afraid to go to school because you might die. As for homeschooling, I tried it, but I REFUSE to stay in a bubble, afraid of the world, my whole life. In my opinion bringing nuts to a school where there are students with severe allergic reactions to nuts is the same as bringing a gun. I also appreciate all the support from all of you other concerned parents. Your children are in my prayers and I only hope that their schools take the same action as mine did for me. I may only be 16 but I will speak up and let myself be heard. PEANUTS SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS!!!

Kentucky

Sally

Erin

Erin, I applaud you. You are a well educated young child. Sorry you have to deal with this terrible allergy.

Connecitcut

Violet

Erin

Amen!! I'm so happy your school is accomodating. I pray it works out. We are trying to make things happen before my daughter goes to kindergarten.

Virginia

kristy

peanut/tree nut free school

Peanut free is another way for parents to pass the buck to someone else for not being responsible enough to teach their children, with life threateing allergies, how to stay alive in life. I have a sever peanut allergy, I wear a bracelet. As a child there was no such thing as "peanut free"schools. My parents taught me what to stay away from in order to survive. I am 35 years old, and alive. I now have a son with the same allergy, he is 5. He knows what to stay away from, it's my responsibility as a parent to make sure he understands his needs. It is not the school departments responsiblity to restrict what other children eat. Again, it is the responsibility of the parent to teach their children, it's not anyone else responsibility to do it for you. Should we stop selling dairy products and allowing other children to have them to save dairy allergic children? Should we ban the use of any type of scented products to be used to save the child with asthma? It is what it is, adapt, don't expect the world to adapt to you. That's not teaching our children to be responsible, it's teadching them it's always someone else's responsibility.

rhode island

Kathy

Missing the point

Kristy: You are missing the point. Any help makes a difference. I also have a hard time believing you have a child who is allergic to peanuts at age 5, and you feel comfortable with that child looking after themselves. Let's see how you feel when some bully sticks a peanut butter sandwich in your child's face at lunch because it was not a peanut free school. Or, some peanut residue was left on a table that was not cleaned properly, or peanut dust flowing in the air. If it is truly eliminated, no such problem would occur. Why not just eliminate it to make it just a tad more safe. So, I stand behind my theory that you do not have a child who is 5 and allergic. That is too young to have to take care of themselves. You can write here to your are blue in the face that you do have a child with the allergy, but I will never believe it. I am sure you are just a parent who resents the ban in your child's school, and chose here to vent.

California

Gary

I thought the same

I thought the same when I read the post from Kristy. Age 5 is too young to trust the world with this allergy.

Indiana

Dar

Yes, Peanut Free

I can't believe the ignorance, lack of caring, and general childishness of some of the posters on this forum. Is it SO pathetically difficult for your child to not eat peanuts and peanut butter while in school?? You'd rather see an innocent child die? How pathetic, you should be ashamed. And hiding behind democracy at that! Shame on you.

Michigan

Violet

Kristy

Hey is your child airborne and contact allergic or just ingestion? It's fairly easy to avoid ingesting peanut products- it's very difficult to avoid breathing them when you're surrounded by pb&j.

Virginia

johanne ST-DENIS

PEANUT FREE

I'M SO TIRED OF PARENTS WITH NO MORALS . MY 2 CHILDREN SUFFER FROM LEVEL 4 OF PEANUTS,TREE NUTS ALLERGIES. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOL. SOME PARENTS NEED TO WALK IN OUR SHOES TO UNDERSTAND OUR DAILY STRESS ON BEHALF OF ALL ALLERGIC CHILDREN. I ALMOST LOST ONE OF MY CHILD IN A SCHOOL OUTING. NEVER AGAIN! THE FACT IS THAT, CHILDREN HAD DIED FROM THIS DESEASE , WHAT PART OF THAT PEOPLE DON'T GET.

espanola

Liza

Peanut Free is Impossible

Peanut fre school are just impossible, unless schools also regulate what kids eat for breakfast. A child who scarfs down peanut butter before catching the school bus may grasp the rail of the bus to enter and at the next stop, so may a child with a severe peanut allergy. I don't mind making reaonable accommodations, but I do wonder where it ends? There are children with extremely severe allergies to TONS of foods, not simply peanuts. In my son's class, there is a child who requires an epi-shot if she's exposed to squash of any type; another is she eats strawberries. Obviously, they are not the only two allergic kids in the school--so how long and extensive do we allow the list of prohibited foods to become? Growing up, a friend had a severe allergy to bee stings; I remember vividly having to sit in a sweltering hot classroom, because her parents forbade the teacher to open the windows; other children were made to take turns staying inside with her at recess. Not exactly fair, you know? I empathize with the parents of kids with these issues and am thankful that my son does not have them, I just wonder if banning peanuts in food eaten at school will really help the most allergic children.

Pennsylvania

Steve Grubb

peanut butter substitute

Soynut butter is the solution for peanut free schools. It looks like peanut butter, has the same texture as peanut butter and taste very similar to peanut butter. All kids will accept Soynut butter as peanut butter. It is found in most stores and the web site is www.soynutbutter.com. My kids love it! And our peanut free school serves it every day with any complaints from the no allergy kids. This product is completely peanut/nut free and made in a peanut/nut free facility.

Illinois

Joanna

Peanut-free school

Peanut-free means eliminating much, but not all of the risk, in a peanut-allergic child's environment. This would be heaven. My daughter has a severe peanut allergy. She had six allergic reactions (one per day, plus two on one day) during the first week of school this year. The reactions did not stop until all children in her class washed hands on the way into the classroom (as well as after lunch, which they were already doing) and the class started lining up on the opposite side of the room from the lockers, where lunchboxes are stored. Although I theoretically like the idea of just having a peanut-free table, this hasn't worked alone to keep my daughter safe. Additionally, she is now a large focal point of the day...how can we keep the peanuts out of her environment? It has become such a big deal that it is affecting her emotionally. This is not fair to her. Home schooling might theoretically be great, but my daughter is very social and likes to be in the school environment. Further, she has to live in the real world, not in a bubble. School should be a safe learning environment, not a stress-provoking, put-your-life-at-risk enterprise. I advocate peanut-safe environments. Sunbutter or soybutter are viable alternatives for kids who like that type of sandwich.

Texas

Patrice

peanut free?

As a school nurse I am definitely aware of the issue. Yet schools can only go so far to be free of peanuts. If I were to tell a parent our school was peanut free, and a child had peanut butter for breakfast--AT HOME--and then came to school without washing hands, well, it wouldn't be peanut free anymore. I believe we have to do what is REASONABLE to protect all children. It is not a peanut free world and unfortunately, those with this allergy have to deal with that.

Illinois

Tanya

epipens

My daughter started school here in the States which is a whole new thing for us. We recently moved here from Canada where our schools are "peanut free" which really means peanut reduced - but at least they're trying. My daughter's school there allowed her to have her epipen in her backpack, one in her classroom and one in the office (we didn't have a school nurse)When she started school here we were nervous. They have a clinic, however the nurse didn't start until about 4 weeks after school had begun and they serve PB in the cafeteria and they said she couldn't have her epipen with her nor could her teacher, it had to stay locked in the clinic. SO now we have PB, no nurse, no pen and my daughter's class is outside the school in a "learning cottage". So if something were to happen, the teacher would have to call into the school, get someone to go to the clinic, find the pen, then draw straws to see who would have to administer the pen because no one wants their butt sued off (which seems to be a big thing down here...)anyway, then they would have to run out to the "learning cottage". All this time my daughter wouldn't be breathing...and hopefully, someone would have thought to call 911. We spoke to our allergist about this during an appointment with our other daughter who was being tested for peanuts & nuts - I'm very glad to say that she's fine...but our allergist mentioned the "Kelsey Ryan Act" which is a law that was passed here in Florida that gives students the right to carry and self-administer epinephrine on school grounds if exposed to their specific life threathening allergens. I feel so much better knowing that she has it wth her every second of the day. We ordered some cute lttle waist bags for her to carry it in. One was at allergyhaven.com and the other was kozyepi.com. They come in all different styles and colors. I have to admit my daughter cried the first day wearing it only because she thought it was sticking out too much under her shirt. But by day two she went over, clipped it on and thought nothing more about it. I just feel better knowing that precious seconds won't be lost trying to find her life saving medication.

Florida

Lisa

Peanut free zones

Sadly, the truth is, peanut free zones are not full proof. I can empathize with parents that don't know what else to pack their child for lunch. Welcome to my world. My daughter had a severe reaction sitting in a chair another child had sat in who ate a peanut granola bar. We had even just washed off the table before she sat down. She broke out in a rash, started itching, then ate her sandwich and nearly passed out a few minutes later. I thought she was having a reaction to her sunscreen until I saw the wrapper on the floor. While peanut-free schools are the safest route to go, I truly believe educating people about the allergy issues consistantly is the best route. While they are young we have to rely on the staff and teachers to help watch out for them, however, we still go to friends houses that we've had for 6 years and they still forget. I double check everything she eats. Especially at school and camps.

Washington

Moderator

Chez Bahl

Chez Bahl...a.k.a. cheese ball. Your comments will not be tolerated here. This is a friendly site, and such language is not acceptable, which is why your comments were removed. You are definitely welcome to comment here, but please be respectful.

New Jersey

Pete

Mr. Cheese Ball

I did read the comments before they were removed. It contained a lot of anger, with no information. Thanks for removing.

California

A. Parent

Enough is enough

My son attends a peanut free school and I completely disagree with the policy. I know there are better ways to accomodate the children with allergies than to ban a wonderfully nutrition, vitamin rich, all around good for you food source. While I am sympathetic to the children with the allergies a ban is extreme. Others have talked about handwashing and cleaning lunch areas and parents have expressed that students and faculty can not be counted on to insure these measures are taken. What if my son were to eat peanut butter toast for breakfast and not wash his hands properly then go to school would that risk still exist. Absolutely. What seems the more logical solution is to really teach the children who are allergic how to deal with their allergy and the precautions they should take. Life is not peanut free. There is a girl in my son class severly allergic to bees. Outdoor recess has not been cancelled. Field trips to the State Fair and the Apple Orchard were not cancelled. She travels with an epi pen and benadryl. She has been taught how to deal with her allergy.

Vermont

A. Response

The above comment

You would think differently if you had to deal with a child with this allergy, or if you saw your child go into anaphalactic shock. Don't sit there and compare bee allergies to peanut allergies. If the bee allergy parent wanted to arrange something safe for their child, I would support it. Peanut allergy parents are not asking to ban lunch, just certain foods. The bee allergy family is not going to try to ban recess, but have their child avoid being near various trees, bushes, or flowers that may attract bees. Similar precautions. By reading your post, I am assuming that if your child has PB on toast, you do not wash their hands. Is this true. I wouldn't throw a bee at a child with a bee allergy, so don't push nut products to my child. It is the teachers job to protect all children, even if that includes washing hands after lunch. I would expect them to be alert for bees as well. I just find your analogy of peanut allergies and bee allergies totally insignificant. Can you say selfish?

Pennsylvania

Bobbi

A Parent

What you don't seem to understand, what I didn't understand before my daughter's reaction, is that it's not as simple as it may seem. A child can understand the concept of staying away from plants and trash cans which attract bees the most. Avoidance is much more difficult for the person with a PA because of residue, cross contamination and having it hidden in various and even unexpected foods...seriously, there's a warning on "heart healthy" orange juice for heaven's sake. It takes time to learn what to avoid and many of the children can't read yet so they don't know what's in the ingredient lists. Then there's the whole issue of residue on drinking fountains, playground equipment, door handles, tables; it's truly mind-boggling sometimes. I'm sure to the parent of a non-allergic child the answer seems simple: avoid the food (avoid the bee), avoid a reaction. I only wish it were that simple. Not to mention that people don't react if a bee happens to just touch them or if they breath the air where a bee is which can happen for some who are allergic to peanuts. Keeping a child reaction free is a difficult battle on its own, when you add in parents of non-allergic kids into the mix who fight what your child needs to stay safer and it's a thousand times worse. Instead of trying to fight it, maybe you could try to put yourself in the shoes of the allergic child's parent. What would YOU be willing to do to keep your child safe while at the same time providing him or her with as normal a life as possible? You might also ask yourself who it is that really resents the ban, is it you or your child? I'd be willing to bet (because I've seen it happen with my own eyes) that if you explained to your child that having anything nutty around his classmate could make him/her very sick, to the point of having to go to the hospital in an ambulance (you might not want to mention that it could kill the classmate, the classmate might not even know that information) your child would be very diligent in preventing that from happening. Hey, it gives you a chance to teach your child compassion for his fellow man.

Michigan

Sue

Other parents pay?

There has always been a peanut free table at my daughter's school. I have seen many peanut allergies go thru the school for 6yrs without a problem. This year a mother is asking all students (approx 200 in the lunchroom) to use hand wipes before going out to recess which they have been doing the past month. Now she is asking the parents association to fork up $850 a year for the next 6yrs for hand wipes for all 200 kids each day. I think asking the PTA for $5000 for one child is rude. If she wants her child to go to that school and wants every child to wipe their hands, it should be her responsibility to purchase the hand wipes, not all the other parents. There are 2 other lunchrooms full of kids that go out on the same recess equipment. Couldn't they have residue on them anyway?

New Jersey

PeanutGal

Is Nut Free really safe?

We have a large population at my child's school. 27 different cultures and 18 different languages. I can't imagine how a school is supposed to be NUT FREE? Many kids are on reduced or free meals that provide them breakfast and lunch at school. I am sure many kids eat peanut butter on toast or cereals with peanut butter in them before coming to school. I am sure other sport teams who practice on the elementary school fields eat products with peanut butter and play on the same equipment. I also know you could never educate our schools population with what is and what isn't NUT FREE and hope they don't supply their child with any nut products in their lunches or brekfasts. I think a NUT FREE school would tend to have a false sense of security. I prefer a nut-free table that is monitored much closely then 150 kids in a lunchroom with 3-4 volunteers and the kids with allergies sitting all over the place and next to someone whose Dad packed the lunch today (instead of mom) and put peanut butter crackers in there.

MD

Jennifer

Wow

I was looking for some information on the web because my son, deathly allergic to peanuts, is not in a peanut-free school for the first time (we moved). I continue to be shocked by the lack of education, even in "peanut allergy" forums on the web. (Kirsten, you should be ashamed and embarrassed). My only hope is that those taking it lightly just don't understand that kids with a peanut allergy could die from exposure to peanuts/tree nuts. I would think anyone who knew this would want to do EVERYTHING they could to prevent any child's exposure to allergen, no matter the cost or inconvenience.

PA

Jessica

Agreed

Jennifer, well written. I wholeheartedly agree with you.

PA

Jen

Anaphalaxisis and more

First I have to ask how many of you have ever had or observed an anaphalactic rxn before first hand? Well I have had them...Now my second question..how many of your children carry an epi pen with them? Or have one at the school...? Now I ask this because I am frustrated with this over the top NO peanut school thing. Your child has to learn how to live with this allergy, what do you do when you go to McDonald's playland or the playground or on an airplane? These are not decontaminated? In fact alot of these places serve nuts and all the allergy folks I know have been fine in these environments. It is when ingested or injected that a mojor rxn occurs. Know I know my posting is not PC and all, but there are lot of familes that need to feed their kids something they like and can afford. I think a table that is peanut free or nut free would be the safest, it could be monitored and cleaned. The best safe guard is education of your own child, teacher, and staff and the parent. The second is to have medication and a medical response plan on hand so that folks know what to do it a rxn occurs.. I get very angry when I hear parents complain about peanut contaminated areas etc and they have not done their part..education, medic alert braclet & preventive medication on hand (epi pena nd benadryl). If you child is vulnerable be prepared. Anaphalaxis is not fun and most folks even ER staff do not always recognize right away. There is a difference between peanuts and tree nuts..so don't assume a complete allergy unless you have had both tested.

Denver, CO

Lori

disbelief

I cannot believe how so many people have gotten off track with the point of this website. Us parents of peanut allergic children deserve to be accom. just like the handicap person deserves a close spot to the store. The world has changed and yes some laws are just wrong and overboard. The fact of the matter is if disabled children, slow learners and other kids can be in the CLASSROOM simply asking to not bring nut procucts to school is minor in comparrison. Think of the distraction in the class with the different learning styles. No nuts is in the lunch room does not have an effect on the education of the students around them. Fruits and veggies are healthy snacks....God made them and I am praying that God will help cure my daughters (2) peanut allergies. Please remember. We are acting out of love and concern. We in no way want to change the whole world, just the small area surrounding our children. If anything we should be lending a helping hand in concern for others, not being selfish. The problem is that Americans want it all now and don't want to be told when how or what they can have. In Canada it is much different, more accepting.

St. Louis

Jen

Moderation

Moderation, you will never be able to rid the world of peanuts, you never rid people of allergies. Find a happy medium..let those who can eat their nuts eat them and those whom cannot not eat them.. have them do so at different tables/areas. Have the kids with peanut allergies sit together so they make a new friend. I still ask the questions I posed before: Have you ever seen someone have an allergic rxn to peanuts? DId YOU know what to do? Did others know what was happening? Where they wearing a medic alert bracelet and did they have medication or epipen on hand? (I carry my epipen with me always) What do you do at public areas that might be conatminated with peanut oils? I have other allergies and have been in anaphalicitc shock for those as well(which less than 1% of people actually ever expereience) and I will let others eat their nuts etc. I have too many very serious alleriges to list.. I just think the nut thing is getting over done. Teach your child and those around them, but let others enjoy em. Allergies are not the same as a handicapp- and even those who have handicaps like to be called handi-abled. I think the parents who go to the nut free school extreme are actually making it harder on your childrenh in the end and making people resent you..be reasonable. I get tired of hearing "my child COULD die you know" (have they ever even had a rxn?)... yes this is a serious matter but tone it down and folks would be more willing and compassionate to help you in this matter. Only eliminate all nuts when it is truly necessary rather than assuming all nuts are out. Other wise with that type of logic you need to elminate all legumes! Are you prepared to do that? (Why not? because it would be ridiculous right?) Exactly my point.

Denver

Bobbi

Jen

So what? You tell us to teach our children but how can you not get it through your head that there is A LOT to teach them and it can't be done in a weekend? Look at yourself, did you learn everything you needed to know about protecting yourself instantly or did it take time? These are CHILDREN we're talking about, they need time to learn, time to have the information drilled into them over and over again until they get it and until they do, they deserve to have a safe learning environment. A nut free table is all well and good for that period of time but it doesn't keep the school supplies or playgrounds free of residue...and you cannot tell me that the supervisors who are sooooo anxious to get those kids outside are going to make sure that hands are thoroughly washed. Get a grip and quit being so selfish. Teach your child compassion and to watch out for his fellow man.

Michigan

violet

jen

Bobbi's right. YOU need to teach your children and yourself a little compassion. A little education would do some good. You DO need to get a grip!

Virginia

Samuel

Jen

Jen, honestly, I do not even believe you have the allergy. You need a reality check!

Nebraska

Mark

Peanut-Free Tables don't cut it

While peanut-free tables for some parents with children who have mild allergies to peanuts is understandable (and I feel for them), there are many children (two are sons of a friend of mine) who get seriously ill due to this particular air-borne product. A peanut-free school MUST mean NO PEANUTS whatsoever on the premisis. I do not think we should mandate this for EVERY school for some of the same reasons already mentioned...I would not have survived school without peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But we certainly should be more concerned with the many children who need a peanut-free environment and offer them that environment in as many schools as possible. If YOU do not need it, Great! But someone else does.

Indianapolis

Mark

Jen:

Um... one of the two children I referred to does carry an epi-pen to school. Yes, there ARE cases that bad. In fact, the poor guy is allergic to peanuts, dairy, most berries, many spices... You ought to see his diet. He eats a LOT of boiled chicken and bland vegetables. I am glad you do not suffer, but please do not be so ignorant to believe that there exists no child that cannot cope without the "No peanut" school that I advocate. His name is Ethan.

Indianapolis

Clare

Mark

Thank you Mark. Your responses were perfect. Some comments are really ignorant.

Mississippi

Norbert

Ignorant?

Firstly, I've noticed the word "ignorant" bandied willy nilly when someone does not agree with another's opinion, you're not right simply because your position on a matter makes the most sense to you! If a child has very severe allergies it probably needs to stay at home, rather than restructure a whole school around it. The children with mild to moderate cases should get their own supervised table in the lunchroom. I am with Kirsten on this one. America is not that accepting. I feel awful going around making my child's problems into everyone else.

New York

Lacey

Stop Singling Out the MAJORITY

If your child has severe allergies, it is unfair to punish the majority of society by limited what THEY can eat. It is your responsibility to take care of your child-you chose to have them and support them. If you're so concerned, home school. Peanut butter is an affordable, healthy source of protein that many lower income people rely on. To say that their children must eat something different, that is not your decision to make.

TN

Peter

Hey Norbert

Hey Norbert, you are ignorant!

New York

Pete

Hey Lacey

And Lacey - it is NOT YOUR DECISION to jeopardize my child's life and bring nut products near my child. It must be great to have to perfect child Lacey, so perfect, you never have to worry about them with any issues in the world. Must take after the Mom!

New York

Norbert

Peter

Dude, do you even know what the word means?

New York

Lester

Norbert

Norbert, Peter was just playing with you because your comment was ignorant, while you were asking people not to use the word. When you write, "probably needs to stay at home" in your post, that was not very educated, but selfish. Do you honestly think a parent of a peanut allergic child would enjoy that silly line. After all, a peanut allergy is not a cold. You stay home for a cold as to not make anyone else sick. Peanut allergies are not the same. I think schools should not only make it safe for the nut allergy kid, but safe for all fatal food allergies. Maybe your kid should just stay home to be safe. I am a one time visitor here, so respond as you like. Just remember, the world does not revolve around your child either.

New York

Ashley P.

Such comments here

I am happy that non PA parents are coming here, but I just don't understand why they have to be so selfish. Do they not care if they kill a child with nut allergies. To say, stay at home is crazy. I wonder what they'd say if the shoe was on the other foot. Oh wait, the shoe is not on the other foot, so they don't care!

Georgia

PurpleLady

Listen to the children

Hum, lots to read and weed through here. At very young ages, I believe peanut free is the best way. As children get older peanut safe makes more sense. Adding to the banter: Understanding, compassion, acceptance, etc... all qualities we want all of our children to embrace and use yet the example is not always there for them to follow! It has been our experience that the children that go to school with my food allergic child are more accepting and caring than many adults. They are less upset about the issues and limitations than their parents. I have had parents tell me their child brought something for lunch, but since that child chose to sit at the same table as mine, elected to save it for home! The parents in those cases had a new view on the situation and admitted so to me. What a breath of fresh air! Now, that is compassion, caring and understanding. We have experienced children who wanted mine not only to attend their party but be able to participate in all the food. Those few Moms went out of their way to make that happen and my child had the best time! And guess what? So did all the other kids! Was this necessary? No, of course not. It was generous and exceptional. For those of you so angered by peanut allergy safeguards, I hope you never live the life we do and I hope someday, you will consider openning your mind and your heart to these children who did not ask for this allergy, but must live it for the rest of their lives.

Mars (peanuts don't grow there!)

WP

Purple Lady

Thank you for putting it in perspective. Let's all play nice.

South Carolina

Connie

The World is not Nut Free!

The world is not nut free so a nut free school will not protect our children. They must learn and be taught by US the parents. If you want to protect your child, go up to school, walk around the cafe, talk to the Principal, teachers, offer to train the staff. Push to get the department of education to provide paraproffesionals to be with your child. Educate the children in the classes, they will teach their parents. Incase you don't get it yet, EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!

New York

Leslie

Peanut Free

Connie is somewhat correct, because the world is not peanut free. My only concern: the very young ones can not police all activities, and a nut free environment may be better for them. Just an opinion though!

New York

Pre-K Teacher

At Least For The Littles!

I manage a small drop in centre... We have kids from all ages, who are completely unknown to us except for what their parents write down on our info sheet. I have a unique situation - I have one regular child with an incredible, life threatening peanut allergy - inhalation, touch, ingestion. Our center is going peanut free. And I think ALL pre-k and elementary schools should go peanut free. Yes, its a hassle. Yes, it means picky eaters will have to learn to eat other foods. Is this so bad? Well, its inconveinant. But what can you do? You can educate the kids, you can educate the parents, and you can protect the littles until they can protect themselves. There will be NO peanut products in my centre. None. As a teacher, I don't really want to wash each kids hands, I don't want to check lunches, I don't want to have to explain to a tearful five year old why she can't have her M&M's like Mom promised. But I sure as heck don't want a kid dying on my watch. END OF STORY. ( And for those kids who need the nutritional help from PB - food therapy is the way to go. Work with a nutritionist. My daughter is failure to thrive and we add a variety of things to her food to make sure she's getting what she needs... And she gets zero peanut products. )

Canada

Violet

PreK Teacher

Thanks.

VIrginia

Barbara

Pre-K Teacher

Thank you for all that you're doing to help keep these kids safe. I'm sure that the parents of that child hold a special place in their hearts for you.

Michigan

Ange

Peanut Free

I used to be against the idea of a Peanut-free environment until I learned that physical contact with traces of peanuts can cause such severe, even deadly, reactions. Needless to say, I've completely changed my mind. Children should be safe, and they should feel safe. Adults have a mission to keep them as safe as possible in all situations.

Pennsylvania

Leslie

Thank you

Thank you Ange for your understanding. All fatal food allergies need to be taken seriously to protect our children.

Georgia

ange

peanut flour

can anyone tell me if people who are allergic to peanuts can eat things made with peanut flour? Thank you very much.

pennsylvania

Jennifer

Peanut Flour

Peanut flour is not recommended for those who have peanut allergies. Peanut oil, cold vs. hot pressed, is still up in the air for many allergists. We avoid all to be on the safe side.

Kennesaw, GA

violetk

peanut flour

Our daughter hasn't eaten anything with peanut flour. We avoid just to be safe. I know with peanut oils, she IS allergic. She accidentally ingested 3 pieces of puff'n'corn and had a severe reaction.

virginia

Jane

No Peanuts

Peanut free means no peanuts to me. I wish this could happen, but unrealistic, and not fair to others who like to eat it. I don't know what the answer is to this.

Texas

A Mom

Until a valid medical therapy is available

There needs to be compromise and a sincere effort to balance needs versus wants. Elementary schools should be peanut and tree nut free because of the nature of transfer of residue already explained by others. The training to take responsibility for managing their own allergies begins early with children and takes a few years. By middle school they can articulate enough and understand enough to start taking control themselves. That's asking parents for 5 years of limited cooperation to avoid accidental peanut exposure at school. Until then, we should stop arguing amongst ourselves, pitting the desire to eat peanuts vs. keeping some students alive long enough to start managing a critical medical problem. If anything, we should team up look to drug companies that purposely stall promising therapies like TNX-901 that might have hit the market by now with good safety and efficacy. Why was it stopped? Corporate greed. Read up on it. In the meantime, teachers and schools are unfairly bearing the brunt of the responsibility. Eating peanuts at school is not a right. Try being an understanding and cooperative parents so that some of your child's classmates can stay alive. Cooperation may not feel as horrible as you think it will and your non-peanut allergic child might learn some things like empathy and tolerance - that would be part of the 'real world', as are health problems. Again, I feel for the teachers and school staff caught in between. Peanut allergy is a terrible thing for parents to manage. I can't imagine how nerve-wracking it must be with an ever increasing number of students with it. I know many of us never heard of such a thing when we were younger. I thought it was silly and overblown until I saw it happen to my own son. I don't want a peanut free school for him. I want an effective, safe vaccine to help him tolerate casual contact. It's my responsibility to make sure he knows about his allergy and manage it by total avoidance. But until then I must ask for understanding from my fellow man during the early developmental years by helping with the only medical therapy currently available: complete avoidance of the sticky, ubiquitous allergen. And maybe to redirect your anger at greedy pharm companies stifling viable vaccines. We'd like you to be able to eat your PB & J, we just don't want to die over it. We'll never resolve this issue over food in schools in the US. Too many food lobbies. So if we won't unite over that I hope there is at least some support for us finding a vaccine. But do try some empathy first. If you don't like it you can always go back to endangering peanut allergic children until they have a safe and effective vaccine.

Oregon

Violetk

A Mom

You said it perfectly! We just need our kids to be safe until their situation can be fixed- IF it can be fixed.

Virginia

c

its everywhere

it scares me to think... most snacks that people eat on the go, have nuts, or are manufactured on equipment that processes them... like most candy choclate bars, energy bars, and most others. i am trying to learn more about airborn and reactions that are caused from tuching...i mean, so many people eat those snacks on the go, like buy them at the cash registers and eat them in the car... is that harmful, if they throw away the wrappers, also if they tuch things and go shopping for anything- toys, even food,(tuching foods that allergic people end up buying) after they eat those , is that deadly? and what about crumbs and couging or tuching your mouth? i'm starting to feel guilty about eating zone bars in the car and tuching the steering wheel

ny

Joanna

Pro Peanut Free!

How can you say "The world is not accomadating" when it comes to the "few" and that it would be "inconvenient". We are talking about children who still need to be told what to do. This doesn't mean it's a dictatorship. Children do not wash their hands after they eat, they share food, they steal food from each other... IT'S WHAT THEY DO. Education is a must as well as well as a peanut free environment. It's ignorance on those who say NO to a peanut free school. Do you not realize that the smell or touch of peanut butter could set my child or those "few" into anaphallactic shock and they COULD DIE. How's that for inconvenient? Would you like to attend a funeral where you could say.. well at least it was convenient for me. Lame.

Utah

Tina

Peanut Free

My daughter has just started kindergarten and she sits in a peanut-free section. She is the only child with a peanut allergy, so she has to sit alone. I have started picking her up from school on the days they have peanut butter. I am a stay-at-home mother, and I am able to do this. I think it is difficult to serve peanut butter at school and expect the personnel to keep your child as safe as a parent does at home.

West Virginia

Kim

compromise

In my opinion the school lunches should be peanut free, but still allow students to bring in peanut products. The student with the allergies could sit with the kids with hot lunch, therefore elimanating some of the issues. The students with cold lunch would sit close by but at a seperate table. I don't like kids with allergies islolated from the rest of the kids. In my son's school the students with allergies sit in a corner table away for the other students.

Georgia

Barbara

Tina & Kim

Tina, your poor little girl! Isn't there a way that some of the other kids can sit with your daughter so she's not isolated? As long as they aren't eating- or haven't eaten - anything that could cause a reaction she'd be safe, right? Please don't mis-read my intentions here, I'm not in any way suggesting that you're doing anything more than protecting your daughter. I'm just wondering if there is some way that you and the school can work together to make her life a bit more normal, for lack of a better word. Finding that balance between safe and still providing a 'normal' environment is so difficult to do. Kim, I think it's wrong for your little boy to be isolated too and think your idea for the lunch program is great! If you (both Tina and Kim) haven't already, why don't you join in the forum here? The community here is very supportive and understanding whether we have the same level of comfort with different situations or not. Whether you join us here or not, best of luck, this is one difficult journey we're all on.

Michigan

Carol

Peanut Free

As a Food Service Director for a large school district I want to know what parents consider a "peanut free" school? We have a severe peanut allery student who does not want to sit at another table. He wants to sit with his friends. What about the lunches from home? Each week when I order groceries for our meals I order the same items. The vendors sometimes change brands. Who has time to check each and every ingredient that goes into our school meals? Is a peanut free table,the student bringing his lunch from home, staff schooled in treating an allergic reaction enough or does our district do more? We offer peanut butter and jelly sack lunches as an alternative to our main meals each day. Approximately 20% of our KG-2nd grade students choose these sack lunches. We want to do the right thing we just don't know when enough is enough.

Oklahoma

Bobbi

Carol

Peanut free vs peanut safe varies with everyone so I can see where you'd be frustrated. I think a lot of what you need to consider, aside from "who has the time" (it's not a slam, just not a reasonable reason when you're trying to keep a person alive), is how large the school is and how difficult it would be to make it a completely peanut free environment. If you have an enormous school system, it may not be something that could even be accomplished, I don't know. Would it be possible for the parents of the child to put you in touch with the child's allergist so that he/she could work with you to achieve a safe environment for that child? Kudos to you for your willingness to accomodate him/her and best of luck. It's tough enough for those of us who deal with it on a daily basis, I can only imagine how it is for those that don't.

Michigan

Cindy L,

Peanut free

I think the children need to have a peanut free zone through their preschool - 3rd grade or so. I say this because little kids might offer your young one a cookie and your child might think "well this cookie doesnt look like it has peanuts" and eat it not knowing. But as they get older they know better, and i think you need to let your children with peanut allergies just how dangerous it it.

Washington

Marie Perlonishy

Peanut free

To me all elementary schools should be peanut free. This, because of many reasons. One, because kids share foods a lot and they just dont know very many things, like the danger of their allergie, and traces of peanuts in foods. Two, kids tend to not wash their hands very often. So atleast make your students wash before and after lunch, so no traces of peanuts end up on their toys. However, in middle school - high school, the kids learn the dangers of allergies and know better and make smarter decisions on their own, without their mommy. But, it depends on how serious their allergie is. If its triggered by smell then you need to contact your school and let them know that your child is dangered by the smell of peanuts, and may loose their life by a dumb decision a kid makes. I dont like the fact that a lot of people dont know how serious peanut allergies can be...they dont think and to be a mother of a child with a serious allergie like this is just frightening. SO PLEASE THINK PEOPLE! ...because you could cause someones life without even knowing it.

Florida

Donna

Peanut Free

To Diane (The South), First of all, I am not quite sure where you have obtained your false information that my child along with many others will "outgrow" their peanut allergy. This is false. Secondly, it is because of parents such as yourself who fail to teach your children empathy that we live in the kind of world we do. You see, my daughter at the tender of age of 7 know kindness in a way that you clearly will never know. She also knows that she does not want to be segregated in the cafeteria or singled out because of no fault of her own, she has a life threatening allergy and asthma which also complicates things. Her older sister has has juivinille diabetes for 16yrs and she has learned from an early age about empathy. Adults like you could learn a thing or two from my child. Oh, and Diane, your attitude "stinks".

Mass

Lillie

Education is the Key!

Peanut Free does not mean peanut safe! I am an early childhood educator in Australia and the school i used to work at had a ban on nut products thoughout the school (As voted by the parents), and after the initial few weeks everyone did adhere to the ban. But that didn't stop a kid from getting an allergic reaction from picking up rubbish that had flown into the school grounds! And you cannot control what visitors bring into the school! As a teacher you can watch them until your eyes fall out, but things happen. The School i work at now, is in the country, (with the indigenous population) there are a few kids with various hypersensitivities, but it is hard to focus on those when some kids don't even come to school with shoes, or lunch at all. Most of the people in the area live in poverty and really couldn't care less if someone elses child is allergic to certain foods. I don't blame them! Some children come to school with what they can get... and if its peanuts... then its peanuts. As a parent and a teacher all i can do is educate parents and other children and hope that they make the right choices! My 10 year old has 2 allergies, one to mangoes and to bees! Should we ban the bees? Or Mangoes? We live in a town that provides an entire state with mangoes... How can i ban them at the school? Every back garden has a mango tree. He has been stung by bees more then 3 times and have ended up in hospital twice... I know that bees and peanuts are different, but that doesn't mean that his allergy is any less important or deadly. But i feel that the worse thing i could do as a parent is keep my child inside, while his school mates are playing in the pool or outside! This doesn't make me a bad parent or that i don't care for my childs safety... of course i do, but he needs a life. Anyway, He knows what to do if he gets stung, and so does his friends and the wider community. I think what i'm trying to say is that you can be the most careful person in the entire world, but things happen. I think its is far more beneficial to know what to do if a child has a severe allergic reaction then to jump up and down about safety. I'm not saying safety isn't important! Education is the Key. The more people know... the more they look out for problems.

Australia

Jennifer

Accidents do happen...

I am well aware that accidents do happen. No one knows that better than me because we have had accidents in our home in dealing with lax labeling and multiple food allergies. My son has allergies to wheat, barley, r