<p>My school recently informed all parents that because of students who are allergic (anaphylactic) to gluten, milk, fish, nuts, and peanuts, we are not allowed to bring any food that contains these products, or has been prepared with them. Am I being unreasonable and selfish in saying that I don't see how this is necessary? I just think that it creates a TON of hassle, and it kind of limits what you can bring for lunch (we have a really short lunch, so most of the time, going out for lunch isn't really that feasible). The peanut/nut ban isn't too bad, and honestly, I'm willing to just cut these things from my diet completely, but not milk (I can buy gluten-free products I guess?) And I'm not going to buy a separate fridge to keep my milk in, so wouldn't the "floating millk particles" contaminate other stuff in there (the "floating milk particles" was a reason given about why it had to be banned vs. just avoided by those allergic).</p>
<p>I kind of understand a ban in elementary school, but we're all in high school! If we're allergic to something, I should hope that we know better than to eat it! And considering the number of people who drink milk for breakfast, I don't think banning milk from school will reduce the number of "floating milk particles" anyway. Gah, I just guess I'm kind of irked by the ban. Do any of your schools have similar bans on allergens?</p>
<p>I could be totally wrong, but I’ve never heard of somebody getting an allergic reaction to gluten because they are NEAR it, only if they eat it.</p>
<p>Something like nuts can be sensible because there are people who are deadly allergic, but for most allergies, as long as those who are allergic aren’t eating it, what’s the point?</p>
<p>You aren’t being selfish, there’s no reason for them to ban those things…my little brother is deathly allergic to tree nuts, and there isn’t any ban at his elementary school even (and there are plenty of people with other allergies too), nor my high school (I know at least 5 people who are pretty dang allergic to certain foods too). I don’t see any reason to ban those items; if my brother uses his common sense and doesn’t take food from his friends that may contain nuts/doesn’t buy school food then he won’t have any issues and same goes for every other kid with allergies, especially the ones that aren’t allergic unless they actually eat their respective allergy food.</p>
<p>Heck, I eat tree nuts at home too, we just keep peanut butter and all that stuff in a separate cabinet. The other day I was sitting right next to my brother at the table and eating a PB&J sandwich.</p>
<p>^Some people have very severe allergies (most commonly with peanuts) that mean even being close to peanuts or someone who’s recently eaten them can be dangerous.</p>
<p>We have a ban on latex at school because someone has an allergy, so no balloons :(</p>
<p>Hmm we don’t have a sesame seed or latex ban at least? Lol. I’ll miss being able to quickly throw together a PB&J when I don’t have time to prepare a proper lunch though.</p>
<p>@CE527M: Exactly. Thanks for sharing your story about your little brother. I think it’s great that he knows how to prevent an allergic reaction instead of relying on others.</p>
<p>@BeccaN: I’m actually not too sure if the person who’s allergic to gluten is anaphylactic to it if they are near it or if they have Celiac’s disease or something…in which case the ban is REALLY unjustified…</p>
<p>@redhuntinghat: You bring up a really interesting point; where do we stop? If we’re banning foods that people are allergic to, why not ban other things? (Side note: There was a story last year I think about this mom who wanted all oak trees cut down since her children were allergic to nuts) </p>
<p>@UKgirl23: I guess we’re the only ones whose high school bans allergens! Wow, you guys even have a ban on latex! Our school told us that part of the reason for the ban was because particles of the food could get into the air and cause an allergic reaction, which is why peanuts and nuts (which were also banned at my elementary school) kind of make sense, but I’m thus far unaware of anyone THAT allergic to gluten (or milk/fish either for that matter).</p>
<p>@cptofthehouse: Many of the students and parents are opposing it vehemently I would say that the majority of the students won’t even comply with the ban, which the school really has no way to enforce (especially the gluten ban…how will they know if your pasta is gluten-free? They won’t.).</p>
<p>For me, this kind of brings into question how effective these bans really are.</p>
<p>Unless they touch someone who’s recently eaten them, I really don’t think people can be at risk of an allergic reaction just from being within a couple feet of them. I dunno, though.</p>
<p>I think it can be airborne particles, so their allergies could be triggered by someone who’s eaten them breathing on them. I know this was the case with a boy I knew at elementary school, anyway.</p>
<p>First, you don’t know how severe the allergy is for these people - and whether it is triggered by consuming it, or just by being near someone else who has consumed it. I do know of people who cannot be in the same room with peanuts and tree nuts - the oil gets in the air - so nuts are banned at their schools. I have not heard of milk or gluten producing such a severe reaction, but I suppose it is possible. </p>
<p>On principle, if they’re going to ban some foods due to severe allergies, then perhaps they should take to full step of banning all outside food. It would allow for much better control over the foods these which these students are exposed.</p>
<p>For those with anecdotal stories, they don’t really mean anything - the one particular person with whom you are familiar may not have as severe of an allergy. BTW, the ban on balloons makes complete sense, because if one pops, there can be atomized particle of latex in the air, causing a serious problem for that student. When my D sprained her ankle last fall we had a very difficult time dealing with it because almost every splint and walking boot we found had latex - and no, wearing a sock between the foot and splint didn’t help.</p>
<p>So before you start bemoaning how this other student’s allergies are getting in the way of you enjoying your lunch, consider what it must be like for them. It’s not easy, and while a ban might not be necessary, it might be the most straight forward plan the school can have that is relatively easy to enforce.</p>
<p>Sorry… but I think this is overboard. Milk and gluten are in SO many products. It would be a big hassle to pack a lunch without them. I think a lot of schools have a “nut free” table in the lunchroom, which I think is fine. I guess if they are little kids, then I can see the latex ban. However, there is a certain point where everyone else can’t live “in a bubble” because a student has an allergy. I think a milk/gluten ban is across that line. If the parent is THAT concerned that the kid might eat someone else’s lunch with those items in it, the parent needs to come sit with their kid at lunchtime.</p>
<p>CE527M - I know a girl in our neighborhood with a severe gluten allergy (and celiac as well, but it is a documented gluten allergy). She cannot touch anything containing gluten, and her classroom is gluten-free. She eats her lunch in the Nurse’s office to avoid everything associated with the cafeteria, and her classmates are instructed to wash their hands after lunch, before she returns to the classroom. I would rather they take precautions than risk a severe reaction. In an age where parents will file suit at the drop of a hat, they can’t risk causing an allergic reaction, and have to do what they can to prevent it.</p>
<p>Our school system policy it to require students to have signed authorization on file to carry an epi-pen of inhaler. Because my D had a history of asthma as a young child, I had to have a notirized statement that she DIDN’T need an inhaler, before she would be allowed to leave school for field trips. They’re just covering themselves</p>
<p>And if that is what they need to do to protect her health, that is fine. However, making EVERYONE stop bringing products with milk & gluten to school (and I assume going milk & gluten free in all foods served in the cafeteria) is too much imposition on everyone else for this one kid.</p>
<p>We don’t have a cafeteria (So no outside food would = no lunch LOL). If we did, I wouldn’t actually mind the ban so much, because then, I could just buy a suitable lunch from the cafeteria when I don’t have time to plan out a lunch that doesn’t contain gluten or milk.</p>
<p>Wow, so I guess it’s confirmed; contact-gluten allergies do exist. Still, I can’t help but wonder; is this really the best way to prevent a reaction? I mean, even if, theoretically, everyone in the school adhered to the ban perfectly, wouldn’t there exist the possibility of contamination of initially allergen-free food with an allergen during the preparation? Or for someone to not have washed their hands/brushed their teeth after eating a breakfast that contains milk/gluten? </p>
<p>As I said before, the fish/nuts/peanuts bans I’m fine with, as they are only a relatively minor hassle. But gluten and milk are in SO MANY foods (and gluten-free products are significantly more expensive). Is a ban imposed on 600+ students really the best way to lessen the risk of being exposed to an allergen?</p>
<p>Also, what would happen later on? If high schools are supposed to ban foods to keep them safe, then what about universities? Or their workplaces? There is no way that they can be sheltered away from their allergens forever, and frankly, I think high-school students are mature enough to handle their allergies (vs preschoolers or something). I’m really curious though…how will students who are extremely allergic (such as the girl that CTScoutmom mentions) handle their allergies when they’re older?</p>
I would say that the majority of the students won’t even comply with the ban, which the school really has no way to enforce (especially the gluten ban…how will they know if your pasta is gluten-free? They won’t.).</p>