Peanut Bans in Schools

[IndianaSigKap]

A few years ago, I had a student who was one of those highly allergic kids. She had an epi pen in her purse and two in the nurses office. She passed a kid in the hallway eating peanut butter and crackers, she barely made it to the nurse's office on time. She was in my class for three of her four years in high school and I always went to the epi pen training even though I have used one before. I wanted her to be comfortable with me using on her, if it came to that. She was very aware of her allergy and went out of her way to avoid peanuts. I always made sure it was included in my sub plans and she was very good about making sure people in her classes knew that foods like peanut M&Ms and Reese's cups were triggers for her.

As a teacher it was scary to know the possibility for her to go anaphylactic existed, I cannot even imagine what it would be like for a parent.

[preciousjeni]

These stories are surprising. It just doesn't seem logical that someone could react to the scent of peanuts (outside of a psychosomatic reaction). I could understand it if someone were cracking open peanut shells and letting dust into the air.

With so many children developing allergies from lack of exposure to certain foods, are there not options for controlling the allergy instead of reacting to it with epinephrine?

[Tulip86]

I'm allergic to peanuts, If someone eats peanuts near me, I have trouble breathing. I only get really really sick if I ingest them, but people eating peanut butter sandwiches near me is a problem.



ETA My allergy developed very late, we only found out when I was around 16 that it was (among other things) peanuts

[clarinette]

Someone I know is so allergic to peanuts and peanut oil that he can't even go into the town mall without needing an epi-pen. AFAIK, he's in a very, very small minority. I'm not his doctor (or anyone else's), so I don't know how those reactions happen.

[AGDee]

I have wondered if there are different fertilizers or pesticides being used on peanut farms that could be contributing. Are peanuts absorbing something from the ground that has been introduced?

However, I also wonder whether we are just more aware because we hear more on the news, etc. There were three kids in my elementary school (which I attended 35-42 years ago) who had peanut allergies. One was a neighbor who had a reaction after eating apple cobbler with her school lunch. Her mom went ballastic on the school because they had used peanut oil and not warned the girl, even though the school had been notified and warned the girl when brownies or cookies had peanuts in them.

My ex-husband blames my daughter's peanut butter allergy on me because I ate a ton of it while pregnant. I ate the same amount when pregnant with my son though and he's not allergic to it.

When people say they never heard of these things until recently, I'm always kind of surprised.

[AGDee]

I agree, for those who react only to ingestion. The most severe cases, where they react to something in the air, it's more difficult. My daughter was well trained to always ask. When she went to Europe, she had a card that said "I have a peanut allergy" in each language (she was in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland) and showed it to the waitress before ordering. Her friends were almost more cautious than she was and would read ingredients lists before giving her something. Most kids who have experienced a peanut reaction don't forget how scary it is and are good about it though.

I had an ER doc yell at me when I mentioned my son eats peanut butter all the time. He said "I hope you prepare it in a separate kitchen."

Children on the autism spectrum may react to textures of other foods, leaving few options available.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Children on the autism spectrum may react to textures of other foods, leaving few options available.

Mine has eaten a peanut butter sandwich every single day for years (and years). Fortunately, for us anyway, our schools have not banned peanuts, but I'm open to measures taken to protect other children (my child would probably welcome the opportunity to avoid cafeteria chaos and noise!).

I recall in preschool that a (typical) peer was severely allergic to peanut products, and the other parents were informed not to send class snacks containing peanut products. Still, this must be a little scary for a parent worried about cross-contamination and left wondering about other parents' knowledge of ingredients.

I didn't know that the scent of peanut products could trigger a reaction -- wouldn't this depend on proteins becoming airborne at some threshold? I just didn't realize that this occurred.

[trisigma212]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I didn't know that the scent of peanut products could trigger a reaction -- wouldn't this depend on proteins becoming airborne at some threshold? I just didn't realize that this occurred.

I think its because of the oils in the peanuts that can cause a reaction. Same concept with an air freshener or oil diffuser. You get the scent because of the oils in the product.

Some schools have banned homemade goodies for classes, thinking that store-bought is a better option, but if it doesn't specifically say on the package that it was produced in a factory where peanut products aren't used, it's not any safer. I doubt very seriously that Little Debbie has two separate factories for ding-dongs and nutty bars.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by trisigma212

I think its because of the oils in the peanuts that can cause a reaction. Same concept with an air freshener or oil diffuser. You get the scent because of the oils in the product.

Some schools have banned homemade goodies for classes, thinking that store-bought is a better option, but if it doesn't specifically say on the package that it was produced in a factory where peanut products aren't used, it's not any safer. I doubt very seriously that Little Debbie has two separate factories for ding-dongs and nutty bars.

Just about ALL schools ban homemade treats, but when that occurred back in the 80s, it had more to do with AIDS than allergies. I vaguely remember when you could bring homemade, then the next year it was banned.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Just about ALL schools ban homemade treats, but when that occurred back in the 80s, it had more to do with AIDS than allergies. I vaguely remember when you could bring homemade, then the next year it was banned.

I never heard of it having anything to do with AIDS. It was always just a more general hygiene thing.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I didn't know that the scent of peanut products could trigger a reaction -- wouldn't this depend on proteins becoming airborne at some threshold?

Am I the only one whose mind went to peanut farts? Sorry yinz guys, it's been a long day.

[SydneyK]

I really can see both sides.

I understand that it's impossible to keep kids from sharing food, so a ban in elementary schools makes sense. I also understand that expecting an entire population of kids to cater to a few students with allergies can be inconvenient, so a ban seems excessive.

I can see how separating students with peanut allergies from the non-allergic kids can lead to feelings of alienation, so a ban seems more appropriate than segregation. And I can also see how the students who don't have allergies should have the right to bring PB&J sandwiches to school, so segregation seems more appropriate than a ban.

I'm truly on the fence. I think it's unfortunate that some students have such severe allergies, but I don't think it's necessarily fair to the students without allergies to be prohibited from bringing peanut products to school.

My kids take PB&J to school practically every day. It's quick, easy and cheap, and both kids love it. My daughter has been a vegetarian since she was still in the womb, so I like that she can get some protein from peanut butter. I would be irritated if their school banned peanut products entirely, and I would gripe about it from time to time, but I can see how it's the best thing to do in some situations. I guess I'm just surprised to learn that people can have a reaction just from the scent of peanuts - it seems to defy logic. But evidently, it does happen.

[trisigma212]

I think in the cases where they separate students at lunch they allow their friends to sit with them if they don't have peanut products. It's not like there are 5 kids at a cafeteria table by themselves eating their lunch while the rest of the cafeteria buzzes with chatter about recess. I've seen parents making sure their kid has a lunch buddy, usually one of their kid's friends.

I know when I was in elementary that the school cafeteria's offered SWAK (sealed with a kiss) as a lunch option. It was usually a pb&j with an apple or celery sticks with peanut butter and a hershey kiss. It was awesome for me because cafeteria food never resembled what it was supposed to be and I knew that it wouldn't be overcooked or seasoned with tons of salt. I never understood kids fascinations with the mashed potatoes that were perfectly round from an ice cream scoop.

Schools need to take a proactive approach in making sure students are protected but also ensure they aren't alienating or separating students from positive social interaction. An outright ban doesn't seem smart, but you can find some middle ground. It goes down to educating the students, just like students who have asthma and carry an inhaler, or students who are diabetic and need to eat a snack in the afternoon. Stop keeping your students in the dark.

[RaggedyAnn]

One of the theories about peanut allergies is the GMOs, which would coincide with why there has been an increase in the allergies.
My neice is one that can't be around peanuts or peanut butter. She went to a birthday party where there were sundays and reeses pieces. She had a horrible reaction. She once got a swollen eye just from going through a grocery store.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

Is it possible that a student can be affected by a whiff of peanut butter? I mean, doesn't someone actually have to ingest something containing peanuts in order to have issues related to the allergy?

I do know a (bratty) kid who had a terrible reaction just from picking up a peanut, but not actually eating it. I think he was trying to be a brat to his Mom (i.e. threatening to eat it) and it sure backfired on him.

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I seem to remember an incident where a kid kissed his girlfriend/her boyfriend (I don't remember which one had the allergy) and got ill because the boyfriend/girlfriend had peanut-breath, so I guess I can see why it might be a good idea. But still, to ban peanut products entirely from the school seems a bit... excessive.

One of my co-workers had a shellfish allergy. Her fiance ate lobster or crab for lunch and then (forgetting this), kissed her a while later. Her lips puffed up like crazy and she had trouble breathing and went to the E.R. just to be safe.

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I don't recall this being an issue at all when I was a child. Kids often brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school for lunch....

aephi, I think we're around the same'ish age. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I agree, this wasn't really an issue. I honestly do believe that the foods that kids are eating today, are so modified and messed with, that kids are now manifesting all of these allergies and sensitivities that didn't really exist to the same degree back then in the 70s and 80s. Ah..the good old days.