those who have been in peanut free classes...everything needs labels?

For those who have been in peanut and nut free classes.

I'm a bit nervous. DD already is very limited in what she can eat bc of multiple food allergies (one of which is to milk, as well aschocolate, oranges and strawberries, and shellfish). She eats a lot of peanut butter but thanks to everyone here I think we made a pretty good menu up. Then I got a letter in my packet today saying they will be checking everyones snack and lunch. That anything not individually packaged with the ingredients on it will be replaced with something safe. If it is not individually packaged they want us to cut the ingredient list for the items and include them with the snack or lunch. So if I give her a turkey sandwich will I have to include the bread and turkey label?

Has anyone gone through this? While DD can handle limited items that have milk baked in it we try to avoid it the majority of the time bc it effects her if she has more than an item here or there. Since we cannot send anything that has also been manufactured on the equipment or in the same plant as nuts/peanuts am I going to have issues finding things? I noticed some thing in her limited diet are milk free but made in a plant that also does nuts. My DD's preschool was nut free but the child who were nut sensitive could eat things manufactured on or in the same plant so I didn't have this issue. She eats things like carrots with hummus - is that usually nut free?

Re: those who have been in peanut free classes...everything needs labels?

If I were you, I'd contact the principal next week and see if they will exempt you from that rule since you have to manage for so many other allergens as well. Just assure them you are well aware of the need to exclude all peanut from her lunch & snack. I'd guess their concern lies more with families who are not accustomed to having to constantly read food labels.

Re: those who have been in peanut free classes...everything needs labels?

Unfortunately I can't switch her when she was put into this class we were told it wouldn't be an issue but since then it was changed and I was told it is what it is and she will need to be peanut free. It did say parents can pick up for lunch so I guess one day a week we could do that if needed. It is hard trying to explain to her that others will be eating chocolate, strawberries or oranges but she can't have nuts she is a young 5 and doesn't fully grasp that some kids are worse and she is luckily to not get more than hives and rashes. I am just concerned about (only got this today but I have to check what we have that is processed in plants. She does eat a lot of friuts and veggies. But not a lot of pre packaged things so I am just wondering how detailed they will want the ingredient list. They don't specify what safe alternative they offer a child who brings something they are unfamiliar with. Unfortunately there is no one at the school until the last week of August due to construction in the building. We will be on a cruise that week so I won't be able to ask questions until the 1st day.

I was hoping someone who has btdt can tell me how they arranged it. I'm thinking if I send in say the label from the bread on Monday she might throw it away by accident so does that mean if I send her with it again on Wed they will take it away.

I presume it must be a severe allergy to take these precautions and having a child with allergies I want to be compliant I am just trying to prepare bc unlike DD#2 who we cannot figure out what she has you cannot just give DD#1any safe alternative. I also figure they don't want us sending in juice because it says after such and such a date you will no longer need to send in drinks as they will give them milk or water. I will also have to send in cupcakes for DD because it also says you can bring chocolate cupcakes,brownies but the ingredients have to be cleared 1st for nuts/peanuts.

Re: those who have been in peanut free classes...everything needs labels?

Wow! Everything you send had to be packaged with ingredients?? My kids school is entirely peanut/tree nut free. They bring a snack and lunch every day. I make sure to read labels and just send them in with their food. I don't think any one checks... I've never had an issue. The only thing that is required is that when we send in homemade treats for birthdays (like cupcakes), the box must be sent in with the cupcakes, as well as any frosting tubs, etc. so that it can be checked.

I can't see how you can send in ingredients for a sandwich, like turkey! I'd definitely want additional clarification!

Re: those who have been in peanut free classes...everything needs labels?

Message edited 8/19/2012 12:02:37 AM.

Re: those who have been in peanut free classes...everything needs labels?

Well I was concerned that some of the foods she ate were processed in plants that also processed nuts but I was wrong. Luckily several of the things will be just fine! I like the photocopy idea because we do use several of the same things (applegate farms turkey, same whole wheat bread etc). She eats a lot of fruits and veggies so we do a lot of non processed things. The hummus she eats is safe too so I can send her that with carrots for a snack if need be. I just hate to revert to packaged things - she eats cheerios etc as snacks I try to limit what she eats that is packaged. Things like hard boil eggs etc won't need the ingredients I presume. She eats golden oreos which I know are safe so I can send that to school for replacement if someone brings something she can't have (I am betting if it is like last year - most of what gets sent in has chocolate and then sometimes oranges or strawberries so she can't have any of that so it should be something she is used to). I just have to get through the 1st few days and see what exactly they are doing/giving etc. I'm a little worried as I can't figure out what they will give the child if they have something they determine is not okay. It just says that a suitable replacement will be given to them. They don't serve food (they only give milk or water) to the kids at her school so not sure what they keep to give the kids.