Food Allergy Resources

Is Your School Food Allergy Smart™?

June 2007

Food allergies are a growing health concern in schools across the country. The incidence of the peanut allergy — the deadliest of all the food allergies — fully doubled in the five-year period from 1997-2002.

Today, more than 2 million school-aged children in this country suffer from food allergies. Medical experts agree that this number is increasing exponentially. These kids must watch every bite they eat or risk suffering a potentially life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

With more and more young children being diagnosed every day, schools must become proactive in creating a safer environment for kids with life-threatening food allergies. To help, we've developed easy-to-implement guidelines so that every school can become FoodAllergy Smart™.

Is your school FoodAllergy Smart™?

FoodAllergy Smart™ schools are better, safer places for students with food allergies because:

1. FoodAllergy Smart™ schools have in place a written Food Allergy Policy. This document outlines in detail the responsibilities of parents and school staff members (principal, nurse, classroom teacher, specialty teacher, playground monitor, cafeteria manager, bus driver, after-school activities coordinator, etc.) in managing students’ life-threatening food allergies.



2. FoodAllergy Smart™ schools train teachers and staff how to CARE for kids at risk of anaphylaxis. All teachers and staff who supervise kids at risk of anaphylaxis should receive training on:
   
   
   
   • Comprehending the basic medical facts about food allergies.
     
   • Avoiding the Allergen.
     
   • Recognizing a Reaction.
     
   • Enacting Emergency Action Plan!


For more information, see safe@school partners’ handout Recommended School Training: How to CARE for Kids with Food Allergies.


3. FoodAllergy Smart™ schools require that parents of food-allergic kids submit a Food Allergy Action Plan. This one-page document includes the foods a child is allergic to; the symptoms of an allergic reaction; the requisite treatment; emergency contact information; a picture of the child; and a doctor’s signature. (For a sample document, download The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's plan).

Author Maria Laura Acebal is Founder & Director of "safe@school partners" (www.foodallergysmart.org), a nonprofit dedicated to training schools and camps on food allergy safety. Reprinted with permission.


Reviewed by KFA Medical Advisory Team June 2007.

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