Peanut butter I schools

[Heavensabove3005]

Does anyone know the rules on but products in school? They have banned peanuts in lunchboxes etc but are using peanut butter in the classroom?

[Neolara]

In what way are they using peanut butter in the classroom?

[BenLui]

Why not just ask your school for clarification? I’m pretty sure the answer will be quite straightforward.

[Heavensabove3005]

In bird feeders

[Heavensabove3005]

You would think so. I have spoke to the school their answer is they are not a bit free schoo. I have a severe allergy to peanuts and my daughter has been touching peanut butter today, the doctors have always said there is a possibility she could also have an allergy which I let the school know of when she started.

[Piffpaffpoff]

I think it’s a school by school thing. Why are you concerned? Why don’t you just speak to the school and raise your issue. It may be as simple as someone not realising there’s an issue with it.

[Floellabumbags]

If it's a nut free school then peanut butter shouldn't be on the premises.

[Heavensabove3005]

I have spoke to them and they're pretty relaxed by it but this is a concern to me so was wondering if anyone would know of it changed from school to school, as a lot of my friends kids schools are completely but free.

[Heavensabove3005]

I have always told them that I would not in any circumstances want her touching but products especially peanuts.

[Piffpaffpoff]

Ah, xpost sorry. I think in that case you need to ask them to make sure your daughter does not touch nut products in future. If she is not formally diagnosed then I don’t think they will go nut free. Is there a reason she’s not been tested yet, given the doctors supposition?

My son carries epipens but his school is not nut free.

[ProfessorCat]

Our lunch ball has a no nut policy but I use peanut butter in class because I know there are no allergies.

Does your daughter have to miss out because of your allergy? If she knows how to wash hands correctly and tell you if she's handled it so she could put her own clothes in the washing machine, surely that would be suitable?

[waitingforlifetostart]

Yes it does change from school to school.

[thepatchworkcat]

Yes it's a school by school thing, there's no overall rule that they have to be nut free if that's what you're asking.

[Heavensabove3005]

Thanks all for the replies. To be honest we have never had a problem as all her friends etc know not to have nuts around her. They want to wait a few years before testing her which I am happy about.

[HariboFrenzy]

Presumably if it is not a nut free school then none of the current children or staff have a nut allergy.

I can understand your concern and would be annoyed that your explicit instruction for your child not to touch peanuts has not been followed, however it would appear that your daughter has luckily not reacted and therefore does not have your allergy - which is something to celebrate?

[Heavensabove3005]

Yes of course which I am pleased about. However on the other hand if she had reacted there isn't an epipen on the premises and I wouldn't have had a clue, it's worrying and to be honest I've lost my faith in them as a school.

[AppleTrayBake]

Dependant on the school.
If your DD doesn't actually have a comfirmed allergy/care plan then it will always be harder to get them to understand your worry and take it seriously (although I completely get it OP)

Is it possible to have your daughter tested if you explain your concerns to your GP?

Apart from that I would tell them again that you have a severe allergy to peanuts and your DD is not allowed to handle them due to the risk it poses to you and possibly her.

You also don't want her excluded from any activities, so please find nut-free alternatives. Easy to make feeders with seeds, no need for nuts.

[Heavensabove3005]

Thank you. Felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall but glad you can see it from my point of view.

[AppleTrayBake]

I'm a teacher and have a Epipen carrying toddler.

People just don't 'get' allergies I'm afraid, they won't understand the risks and probably think you are being OTT.

[Floellabumbags]

Our lunch ball has a no nut policy but I use peanut butter in class because I know there are no allergies

What about cross contamination? Children aren't known for great hand hygiene.

Heavensabove3005 why aren't they testing her? DD was tested at 14 months for her egg allergy. I'd be pushing for testing now.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

People just don't 'get' allergies I'm afraid, they won't understand the risks and probably think you are being OTT

My experience too.

[Mantegnaria]

When I was at school peanut allergies were unknown. I'm not sure whether that was because there were no people with allergies or what. I'm pretty sure it was NOT because they all died before they got to school.

Where have we gone wrong as a society that so many people with allergies now?

[AppleTrayBake]

Our lunch ball has a no nut policy but I use peanut butter in class because I know there are no allergies.

Why does the school have a no nut policy in the lunch hall then?

[ProfessorCat]

Not sure - there are no current nut allergies in school. Perhaps it was from when there were.

I get allergies. I'm a celiac. Cross contamination shouldn't be a problem in my class as there are no allergies.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

When I was at school peanut allergies were unknown

No,people used to 'choke' on nuts and die- which was actually anaphylaxis. Advice was that children under 3 should never be given nuts in case of choking. Nuts weren't sneaked into foods like they are now, it was quite usual only to have nuts out at Christmas so less likely to come into contact with them.

[Heavensabove3005]

As above. They would be classed as shocking when in actual fact they had suffered an anaphylactic shock. I don't think we've gone wrong as a society however I'm 26 and don't think opinions around allergies has improved much as today has shown me.