The Food Allergy Book: - Indiana Department of Education

FACT:A study of teens withfood allergies foundthat 24% reportedbeing subjected tosome sort of bullying,and that the majorityconsidered the bullyingto be directly related totheir food allergies.TIP:The school or districtnurse should provideinformation andtraining to parents/guardians on foodallergies, the school’sfood allergy policiesand practices, the roleof school staff, andparental responsibilitiesin communicating withthe school about theirchild’s food allergy.Mental health professionals—such as schoolcounselors, psychologists, and social workers—play a critical role in preventing bullying andensuring that students with food allergiesare not socially isolated. School staff shouldenforce state and district policies related tobullying and discrimination. Acts of bullyingand discrimination should never be tolerated.Preventing AllergicReactions in SchoolsThe only way to prevent allergic reactions tofood is to avoid food allergens. All schoolstaff need to work together to preventexposure to food allergens in schools.School policies and practices should beimplemented that reduce the risk of exposureto food allergens throughout the entireschool, but especially in high-risk areassuch as classrooms and cafeterias. There areseveral ways to prevent exposure to foodallergens in schools.Reading LabelsIt is essential that school staff understand howto read labels to identify allergens in foods andbeverages served in school meal programs, orthose that are brought into the school forparties or other events. Some foods arerequired to have ingredient labels that clearlyidentify the eight major food allergens, butremember that a student may be allergic to a24