[IdentityCrisisMama]

I just read that this is happening in some schools and I just find that so unbelievably sad. I'd love to hear some more experiences with this issue and read some links if you have them.

TAO...

 

[kewb]

It has to do with allergies. If it is pre-packaged the list of ingredients is on there and the nurse and/or teacher can easily tell if a child will suffer a reaction. If it is a home baked goodie then there is a greater risk that something will slip by.

It is a minor inconvenience to me but I do not want to be responsible for sending someone else's child into an allergic reaction with a possible fatal ending, so I deal with it.

 

[Brinda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kewb It has to do with allergies. If it is pre-packaged the list of ingredients is on there and the nurse and/or teacher can easily tell if a child will suffer a reaction. If it is a home baked goodie then there is a greater risk that something will slip by. It is a minor inconvenience to me but I do not want to be responsible for sending someone else's child into an allergic reaction with a possible fatal ending, so I deal with it.

This is why our head start does it.

 

[rmzbm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kewb It is a minor inconvenience to me but I do not want to be responsible for sending someone else's child into an allergic reaction with a possible fatal ending, so I deal with it.

 

[MamaMonica]

Commercial baked goods can have cross-contamination problems, too. I think it's sad home-baked items aren't allowed. That's putting a great trust in corporate machinery.

 

[boston]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaMonica Commercial baked goods can have cross-contamination problems, too. I think it's sad home-baked items aren't allowed. That's putting a great trust in corporate machinery.

Good point.

 

[Brinda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaMonica Commercial baked goods can have cross-contamination problems, too. I think it's sad home-baked items aren't allowed. That's putting a great trust in corporate machinery.

This is true, but they still list it on the package. Under the ingredients it usually says that it is made on machinery used to process (milk, soy, peanuts, etc.).

 

[4evermom]

Unfortunately, most prepackaged snacks have hydrogenated oils, too.

 

[spero]

Like I said before, ICM...it's a CYA policy. Even small schools like ours have an ever-growing population of children with peanut, egg, wheat, etc. allergies. We now have a separate table in the lunchroom (set away from the others) specifically for kids with allergies. Schools do all that they can, so that they won't be held responsible in the event that a child eats something and has a reaction. Like so many other rules and regulations, I'm sure that these measures are largely in response to the litigious nature of our modern society.

:

Yes, it sucks for the rest of us. I'm sure it sucks for the kids with allergies (and their parents), too. I personally know kids with serious allergies, and it is a lot for their parents to deal with.

The big question in my mind is, why the sudden barrage of kids with allergies in the last 10-15 yrs or so? And ASDs?

Not sure I wanna know the answer to that one.

 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

But, isn't it more than minor inconvenience? I mean, I'm all for helping watch out for kids with allergies but the idea that entire schools are turning away from home cooked food seems to have far worse implications than inconvenience.

I'm thinking consumerism, health, waste...

 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Cross post, Skellbelle. I'll have to think more.

In some schools, is the ban on all home cooked foods or is this for parties and stuff?

Does anyone have any links?

 

[Annikate]

Former teacher here. Yep, it's a CYA issue. Not so much for allergies (although that's part of the reason), but also because you just never know what could be in homemade items. Sealed, store bought items are safer.
It's a sad testament to the times we live in.

 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

What is CYA?

 

[Myboysmom]

CYA? My guess: Cover Your

 

[spero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myboysmom Cover Your

:

 

[spero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdentityCrisisMama Does anyone have any links?

http://www.freep.com/news/education/...e_20050210.htm

http://www.asbj.com/199909/0999adviser.html

http://www.allergicchild.com/recipes_label.htm

Quote:

My son's classroom at school is peanut/nut free; however the entire school is not. Therefore, other teachers do use peanuts/nuts in their classrooms for various projects and for snacks. There are now several children in the elementary school with nut allergies, and extreme caution has been taken with hand washing in the classroom so that communal bathrooms are not affected. Also, the projects aren't allowed outside of the classrooms that include peanuts/nuts. These projects are becoming much rarer as more and more children are diagnosed with food allergies.

http://www.familyeducation.com/artic...1-4233,00.html

http://www.fankids.org/FANTeen/school.html

 

[Altair]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annikate Former teacher here. Yep, it's a CYA issue. Not so much for allergies (although that's part of the reason), but also because you just never know what could be in homemade items. Sealed, store bought items are safer. It's a sad testament to the times we live in.

Yes, I agree it's both. If a parent decided to do something criminal (add something to the food poisonous, drugs, etc), the school would be legally responsible for serving the food that they couldn't verify.

And this doesn't apply to a child packing their own lunch and eating their own food (at least at any school I've been at). This is only for bake sales, parties, etc.

My school hasn't adopted this rule yet, but I could see it happening.

In terms of allergies, it is always my hope that parents will think about students with peanut allergies and just not send any nuts, period, even in their own child's lunch. IMO it's too big of a risk.

 

[CarrieMF]

My dd's school went nut free this year due to 1 child in kindergarten with severe allergies to nuts. I do not know if it is strictly peanuts or if it is tree nuts too. The last letter send home said that sunflower seeds, poppy seeds and sesame seeds are fine.

I have no problem not sending foods made with or which could be contaminated with nuts to school.

I do have a problem with no homemade goods. The kids here do not eat ina cafeteria, there isn't one, they eat in their classrooms. In the older grades their snack is eaten outside though. They are not healthy compared to homemade versions/snacks. They are expensive. Reading the labels very few of them are available without saying they may have come in contact with peanuts.

I do offer other foods which won't have any contact like fruits & veggies, but I send other things too.

Last week I sent a granola bar without even thinking of looking at the label. I did after she was already at school and though there were no nuts in it there was that notice on it may have come in contact with nuts. I had no plans on sending them with her again, but my kids really like them so I went hunting for a recipie to make them. All the ones I found used pb, but found out that I can use Tahini instead so I'm on a search for that. I am expecting a note to come home even though our school does not have a no-homemade goods policy. I see it coming in the next 3 years though.

 

[Sisyphus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarrieMF I have no problem not sending foods made with or which could be contaminated with nuts to school.

If you have peanut butter in your house ANYTHING you make can be contaminated... you just never know.

Now, add the "biggie" allergens of Wheat, dairy, soy and eggs and HOLY COW... it's a scary thought!

Lo

 

[MamaTaraX]

My son's preschool had that rule. I askedif I could bring homemade stuff and i did. there was a diabetic girl in his class. I asked why it would be better to bring in some prepackaged over-sugared crap than say, my homemade carmel apples. They couldn't argue. I brought caramel apples for the fall party

Now he's in public school and they requested the same thing but said it wasn't "required", so I send in homemade stuff. WhenI can, I send in organic stuff at least. I've noticed, sadly, though that my homemade and organic stuff often goes untouched

Kids don't want to eat what they are not used to seeing

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)