Food Allergy Information

Food Allergy image
Food Allergies are becoming increasingly more common in children and are a potential life threatening medical problem. Your child can be safe at school however, and continue to enjoy school meals when the parents, student, school nurse, and food service staff work together to provide a safe environment for each child. The safety of the children we feed is a high priority and we’re here to help!  Education and communication are key to your child’s safety.
 
It is important to communicate your child’s dietary needs to the school nursing staff as well as the School cafeteria manager. They will work with the School nutrition director to ensure that your child can safely enjoy his/her school breakfast and lunch. Each school year it is advised to have special dietary forms updated, signed and dated, by a licensed physician that identifies the food or foods that are to be omitted as well as the severity of the allergy/intolerance. This will help provide a safe environment for each student with this condition.
 

In accordance with USDA’s implementing regulations, 7 CFR Part 15b.3 the Food Service Department is:

  • Required to provide substitutions to the standard meal requirements for participants who are considered disabled* and whose disability restricts their diet
  • Permitted to make substitutions for other participants who are not disabled but who are unable to consume regular program meals because of medical or other special dietary needs.

*A food allergy is considered a disability if a physician assesses that consuming the allergen may result in a severe, life- threatening reaction.

For More Information: Visit the Food Allergy Research & Education website*