More Schools Ban Peanut Butter
Its a heated debate between parents and school. Parents are being backed by the Food Allergy Network, who both claim that the Americans With Disabilities Act supports their cause. They say that an allergic child should be considered to have a disability, and thus measures should be put in place to accomodate allergic children. Many pro-ban parents dont understand why schools will willingly install wheelchair ramps or provide testing and education for disabled children, but seem to balk or resist at the idea that allergic children are disabled as well.
How serious is Peanut Butter allergy?
Peanut allergy is actually both more common and more deadly than you might think. Anaphylaxis is the reaction to an allergic substance being introduced into the body. Dr. Peter Vadas explains in an article by the CDC, exactly what happens during a reaction: "The airways clamp down and they fill up with mucous. It becomes very difficult to breathe and they will also experience a fall in blood pressure to the point where perhaps there's not enough oxygen being delivered to the tissues. "They may have problems with heart rhythm and the blood vessels in the heart might constrict and lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to the heart and heart attack."
A reaction to peanuts can kill - very quickly.The Center for Disease Control reports 88 deaths from allergies in the last 20 years (although the majority were peanut related). However the Food Allergy Network contends that allergic reactions are underreported. They claim at least 1% of all Americans are allergic to peanuts, and they estimate almost 130 people die per year from these allergies.
So How exactly do these bans work?
It might seem difficult to ban a product from schools that can be found in virtually anything. Peanut oils themselves are deadly, and these oils can leave traces on any material. A young teen girl died a few years ago after using a contaminated knife that had been used to make a peanut butter sandwich by another person. The oils contaminated her sandwich and she died a few minutes later. Many factories prepare multiple products and some can be contaminated with peanut oil.
Some schools have switched their cooking procedures. Instead of cooking with peanut oils, they use canola or olive. Lunch room officials check student lunches before consumption, to ensure no peanut products are present. Schools also often set up cleaning centers or cleanings foams or gels to help reduce the spread of both germs and to wash any oil or residue from hands. Other schools provide peanut free lunch tables for allergic children, while still others allow peanut sandwiches or products, but they are turned into school officials in the morning which are then served to students at their own peanut-allowed table. Those children, their tables and items are thoroughly washed and sanitized
The questions dont stop there though. The idea of how to actually keep a substance out of a school seems to be a nightmare. Kids can eat peanut butter at home and then come to school. A young girl died after her boyfriend ate a sandwich and then kissed her, transferring just the smell (and possibly the oils) to her. And what if there is residue on hands of children? You can attempt to wash hands and clean as much as possible, but it never eliminates the possibility
Still parents and schools alike argue that while no ban creates a bubble like atmosphere, ensuring no child is in danger, they can attempt to at least restrict the products that are around these children. Total banning may never work, but reduction is at least a step towards safety.
Most parents of allergic children say that while banning is a step, its just one step. Reducing what these children are exposed to makes it safer, but education is really the hinge point. Children with allergies must be very aware of what they eat and parents are responsible for bringing that awareness to children. Schools also often place pictures of the allergic children around school so that both other children and teachers are aware of allergic children. Schools often send home letters to parents to explain these allergies and the need to restrict and attempt to educate the other children on the need to protect the allergic students
However even awareness can't prevent everything. A student died in 1986 after peanut butter was used as a thickening agent in chili. Parents often point to stories like this as a reason to ban the substance. No amount of education to the child could have made them aware that chili would contain the lethal substance, thus the reason to ban the product all together say most schools.
Other places or establishments have set a precedent. The Federal Department of Transportation has ordered peanut-free zones in some airports, which could affect school rules in the coming years
Parents are asked to check all labels and to not send their children to school with specific products
Parents must ask themselves if their childs need for peanut butter supercedes the life of another child. Often Homeschooling or other options just are not always available to allergic children, and to be honest it looks like the Americans with Disabilities Act might cover their accomodations anyways. Children have the right to a safe free public education environment. But what exactly that means is still up for debate
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/peanuts/index.html
Published by Anna Lane
I am a 25 year old nationally certified therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. I specialize in all areas of research, including both research in ac... View profile
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32 Comments
Post a Commentafter going thru hoops to find a peanut free daycare now i have to trust a school with 300 kids n busy adults with my sons life.b/c others are worried about protein?! wow well u make sure ur kids get plenty of protein while mine doesn't get any from that source (which doesn't actually hurt him) but meanwhile my child takes a chance with his life so they can have get their protein at that particular time (it wouldn't hurt for a pp and j snack after school). My son sits at a table in the back of the cafeteria away from everyone because he's allergic.like he's contagious.that sucks..why should he have to go thur that. the least everyone could agree on is a peanut table for kids who do want a pp and j. not everyday 20 or more kids r going to have that for lunch..thats y we have hot meals. but when they do they should sit at that table until they r done having a chaperon there to make sure they wash their hands could relieve stress from worried moms (thats all we are) and keep peanuts safe
many people feel different ways about this but everyone needs to step back and understand it. i am a mother of a peanut allergy child. i found out this when my son was only a year old and my mother in law decided to give him a bite of a peanut cup....i spent two weeks in the hospital, day and night wondering if my son would be okay...b/c i was already in the nursing field i acted within seconds...doctors said if i would have hesitated to call an ambulance he may have not made it..(while i grabbed my son and phone to call 911 my mother in law and his father stood there shocked...not understanding what was happening..i was 19...now i'm 23 and my son is five..i could not imagine my life without him and a peanut could have took that from me! for those who say ....whats going to happen next ...banning milk from schools?? look it up..see for urself...how many kids have died from a milk allergy?? and how many from peanuts....if this wasn't serious i don't think people would try to change it.
I have a child who is allergic to wheat and milk and I know schools will never ban them and I do not expect or even want them too. Because of various nutrition issues I won't go into right now one of the few proteins he can eat is peanut butter. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on wheat-free bread is a staple for him. If they banned peanut butter I don't know what I would do! I understand the fear of allergies but I'm not expecting everyone to go wheat and milk free just for my son. Its better that he learn how to avoid them for himself and teachers can put their efforts making ALL children wash their hands after they eat. That's good hygiene anyway!
JUST A LITTLE RESPONSE I HAVE A 9 YR.OLD SON WHO HAS BEEN ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS SINCE AGE OF 18 MTHS. I UNDERSTAND THE THINGS PEOPLE ARE SAYING ,BUT NEVER KNOWING IF YR GOING TO GET THAT CALL SAYING YR CHILD IS ON THE WAY TO THE ER NOT BREATHING AND TRUNING BLUE. YOU JUST DONT UNDERSTAND THAT FEELING IT IS A CALL YOU NEVER WANT TO GET. HE IS AIR BORE ALERGIC AS WELL IT IS SO SCARY. I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND A CHILD COULD DIE BECAUSE SOMEONE WANT A PEANUT BUTTER SANWICH.. PLEASE PUT YOURSELF IN OUR SHOE JUST FOR ONE DAY.I DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO KEEP HIM SAFE BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THAT CALL WILL COME...PLEASE PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND. THANKS,A WORRIED MOM
My comment is to Lynne. Please, Please, Please educate yourself before questioning the severity of allergic reactions. As a mother who has had the unfortunate experience of watching and helpinbg my daughter through two life threating reactions, I know first hand how serious reactions can be. I do understand how ignorance exists within the people who do not live in 24/7 fear of their child's airway closing due to accidental ingeation of the wrong food is possible, however, education is key. Reactions happen everyday and they can be life threatening. I can't speak as to why the peanut allergic children ride the bus- prehaps their parents have somehow ensured their safety. Its not your place though, to question the severity of an allergy or risk for potential reaction.
I have found that all of the "peanut allergic" kids (who prompted the ban at my children's elementary school) ride the school bus to and from school. I suspect that if their allergies were truely serious, the parents would keep their kids off the same busses shared by high schoolers and middle schoolers (who may have peanut products before/during the bus ride). Sorry ~ with that said, I just cannot believe that the allergies are serious enough to ban peanuts in school.
Sure it's a problem - but total bans are unrealistic and it's upsetting to others. It's like having to be in a wheel chair - and then insiting that everyone else ride in a wheel chair when a proper alternative is to make life easier for the person. Peanut butter bans in schools is improper - what we need is Federal guidance to protect schools and provide guidance that meets in the middle. Sure you could say - big deal it's peanut butter - but what if someone comes in a says I'm allergic to meat - stop serving it; or ham, or eggs etc etc etc. Where does it end?
I do understand how serious this problem is. It is not a minority any more it is becoming a majority. So, for the who don't understand imagine you walk into your child room and they are choking. Their lips turn blue and you hear this whisling sound. You realize it is your child and they can't breath. You call 911 this time they live. You find out it is all from this sweet little nut. It hard to believe but true. Of course you want to protect them. Protecting them from dieing. Anaphylaxic reaction are real and parents worst night mare. Static are there to support their fears. I think as community we need to step back acknowledge their fears. Try to do our best to support them by providing nut free tables, educating our kids about allergies. Teaching our kids at home about keeping their friends safe. If they are eating something that is not safe move away. This has been a huge topic at my school so I have been doing a lot of research. Yes I have a child with a milk allerg
No, but I have taught my kids about allergies. I have taught them to wash their hands before and after they eat and their areas. If we decided to ban peanuts are we going to ban milk products too. Then are we going to ban teachers and parents from wearing perfume to school because it could trigger a childs asthma attack. Yes there needs to be a safe environment for all allergy kids. First you need to inform all staff members. Hopefully the schools will talk to the class mates about be a great pal by not sharing fun, washing their hands, and area's. I think informing is very important. We need to be very careful about mandating what other kids eat. First thing you can do for you son or daughter's is empower them over their bodies. Make sure they understand never to take food from anyone else. Provide the foods for your kids that you know are safe. Provide extra snacks for the teachers so when there is parties they have choices. Most reaction happen when they eat something
People with peanut allergies are generally more sensitive than regular allergies and peanut allergies are more life threatening! My son is has peanut allergies and I dread having him go to school. Luckily my school already has a nut free classroom and is very careful. But still everyday I will worry when the time comes. Sure, it is your right to feed your children whatever you want but good GOD where is your heart- is it worth it to feed your kid peanut butter if it kills another child? This is not an exageration- as the article states sometimes a simple touch from someone who had peanut butter earlier can be enough to kill another person. Do you want to live with that? Do you want your kid to live for the rest of his/her life knowing that they killed their classmate because they ate peanut butter?
Also- for those that don't know Chik Fil A (if you have them by you) uses peanut oil. I never knew that but wondered why my son kept having reactions.
Great article!