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Why Kids Should Never Share Food At School, Even If They Think it’s Safe

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Many schools are implementing a strict “no food sharing” policy in an effort to prevent food allergy emergencies.  One student was recently suspended for sharing his lunch with a friend and while “no food sharing” seems to make sense as a general rule, many students are finding very justifiable reasons to bend the rules or outright break them.

But here’s what many students don’t think about when making these decisions:

1. Cross Contact

First and most important is the way each food is prepared or packed for each student’s lunch.  For example, a student may handle bread, cheese, peanut butter or other allergens while eating breakfast or preparing a lunch, then reach into the fridge to grab an apple for the lunchbox or backpack without first washing hands.  This simple bit of cross contact may seem harmless to the individual handling the food, but could have life-threatening results for the child who unknowingly consumes that apple when it is shared with him by a friend at lunch.

2. New Allergies

But what if neither of the students sharing food have allergies and there is no prior history of allergies in their families? In 25% of food allergy reactions that occur at school, the student had not been previously diagnosed. Food allergies in children are on the rise and children do not have to have other family members with food allergies to develop them on their own.  If a reaction does occur at school, tracing all food eaten, including it’s preparation may be of importance.  This information is simply easier to gather when food is not shared.

3. A Consistent, Safe, Learning Environment

Whatever the policy, educators have put it in place to ensure as safe and distraction-free learning environment as possible.  If a rule is bent or broken because the student just thought it made sense to do so, other students will begin making decisions on their own to break rules as well.  Since each students’ knowledge, maturity level, and decision making skills vary, those who are following suit of the first are likely to take additional risks.  If students believe there is a strong case for breaking a rule, they should be encouraged to discuss the situation or concern with a member of the school staff or administration.

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Tiffany Rogers

Tiffany is the mother of a child with multiple severe food allergies, wife of a husband with food allergy sensitivities, and manages a few allergies of her own. As Founder of Allergy Cookie, her goal is to provide you with information to simplify living with multiple food allergies and celebrate life in the process. Tiffany has served as a local Chair for the FARE Walk for Food Allergy, Community Events Director and General Board Member for the Utah Food Allergy Network, and Support Group Leader for NNMG Food Allergic Families of Utah. In addition to blogging and publishing books about living with food allergies, Tiffany shares an empowering message as a public speaker at conferences supporting the newly diagnosed and others facing challenges in the kitchen. Tiffany's latest project is the newly formed Chef Free Club, a plant-based, gluten-free and allergy friendly cooking club for kids! Connect with Tiffany via Linked In!

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