Food allergies can affect different parts of the body and cause mild to severe, and potentially life-threatening, reactions. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to hours after eating an allergenic food. The document outlines protocols for identifying student food allergies, substituting ingredients or providing alternative recipes to accommodate allergies, and responding to allergic reactions, including calling emergency services for severe reactions or contacting parents for milder cases.

1.
Updated:
3-­‐25-­‐15
Food
Allergies
An
allergic
reaction
to
food
can
affect
the
skin,
the
gastrointestinal
tract,
the
respiratory
tract,
and,
in
the
most
serious
cases,
the
cardiovascular
system.
Reactions
can
range
from
mild
to
severe,
including
the
potentially
life-­‐threatening
condition
known
as
anaphylaxis.
Symptoms
typically
appear
within
minutes
to
several
hours
after
eating
the
food
to
which
you
are
allergic.
Keep
in
mind
that
children
may
communicate
their
symptoms
in
a
different
manner
than
adults
saying
things
such
as
"My
tongue
feels
funny"
or
"There’s
something
stuck
in
my
throat."
Mild
Food
Allergy
-­‐
Children
should
not
eat
this
food
because
they
suffer
from
one
or
more
of
the
following
symptoms
if
ingested:
Mild
symptoms
may
include
one
or
more
of
the
following:
• Hives
(reddish,
swollen,
itchy
areas
on
the
skin)
• Eczema
(a
persistent
dry,
itchy
rash)
• Redness
of
the
skin
or
around
the
eyes
• Itchy
mouth
or
ear
canal
• Nausea
or
vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach
pain
• Nasal
congestion
or
a
runny
nose
• Sneezing
• Slight,
dry
cough
• Odd
taste
in
mouth
• Uterine
contractions
Severe
Food
Allergy
-­‐
Children
should
not
eat
this
food
or
be
in
the
same
room
with
this
food
because
they
suffer
from
a
severe
reaction
that
could
include
one
or
more
of
the
following
symptoms
Severe
symptoms
may
include
one
or
more
of
the
following:
• Obstructive
swelling
of
the
lips,
tongue,
and/or
throat
• Trouble
swallowing
• Shortness
of
breath
or
wheezing
• Turning
blue
• Drop
in
blood
pressure
(feeling
faint,
confused,
weak,
passing
out)
• Loss
of
consciousness
• Chest
pain

2.
Updated:
3-­‐25-­‐15
• A
weak
or
“thread”
pulse
• Sense
of
“impending
doom”
Food
Allergy
Protocol
1. Double
check
student
permission
forms
for
allergies
and
special
dietary
needs
(vegetarian
for
example)
for
each
child
3-­‐5
days
prior
to
class.
2. Make
note
of
any
food
allergies
and
check
against
recipes.
3. Check
with
your
RC
manager,
classroom
teachers
and/or
parents
for
details
regarding
severity
of
allergies:
a. Severe
food
allergies:
You
cannot
bring
the
ingredient
in
the
school
or
room.
Substitute
any
food
items
within
the
recipe
that
may
cause
a
reaction
or
choose
another
recipe
that
does
not
contain
any
ingredients
that
will
cause
an
allergy.
b. Mild
food
allergies:
Substitute
any
food
items
within
the
recipe
whenever
possible,
leave
ingredient
out
of
recipe
or
arrange
an
alternative
recipe
for
students
with
mild
food
allergy.
4. If
children
have
mild
allergies
and
parents
agree
to
an
alternative
recipe
or
to
leave
out
an
ingredient
for
their
child
do
the
following:
a. Make
sure
to
speak
directly
to
the
child
regarding
their
alternative
ingredients
or
which
ingredients
they
should
not
use
(For
example,
leave
cheese
off
of
taco.)
b. Notice
where
the
child(ren)
are
sitting
so
you
can
make
sure
they
are
not
given
the
wrong
ingredients.
c. Indicate
food
allergies
on
student
nametags.
What
to
do
in
case
of
an
allergic
reaction
1. If
the
allergic
reaction
includes
severe
symptoms
from
the
list
above
and/or
you
fear
for
a
student’s
life,
call
for
emergency
assistance
immediately
and
then
contact
parent.
2. If
the
allergic
reaction
is
moderate
to
mild
treat
as
any
other
illness
and
contact
the
parent
for
their
determination
of
the
situation.
Based
on
info
from
FARE
(Food
Allergy
Research
Education
website)
http://www.foodallergy.org/symptoms#howachild