Should nuts in school be banned for the small % who have "nut allergies"

v638sg7k1a92bx · 09-10-2019 5:59pm #1

What is the general consensus on this. IMO, I find it bizarre that the rest of the school population has to accommodate an extremely small % of kids who have an alleged nut allergy. One of the few things we can give kids that are healthy and they enjoy are being banned.

Do the schools ask for a confirmation from their doctor before they ask the rest of school population what to not feed their children? I have my suspicions that alot of these allergies are self diagnosed or the parents have been to some quack that did an online course.

What do these parents do when their kids are outside of school or go to summer camp, for a walk. Will the whole world bend to their needs?

Markcheese · 09-10-2019 6:04pm

Why wouldn't you?
A nut allergy can be a very serious thing, and kids can do stupid stuff...

byhookorbycrook · 09-10-2019 6:06pm

Ok, dealing with this as genuine and not a poor effort at trolling.

Yes. Your child's desire for nuts is lovely, but does that give them the right to endanger the lives of other children?Children eat in classrooms where they are in exceptionally close contact (if your child ever had the misfortune to pick up nits, you'd realize just how close the contact is. They eat at their desks, so cross contamination for nuts and other allergies is huge.

I've seen a child use a lip balm with nut traces go from their normal selves to gasping for breath, swollen so much their eyes were closing and turning blue. Epi-pens aren't just handed out to randomers. they are prescription only and as well as being expensive, have a short shelf life. I think your attitude in the post above is dreadful.

uck51js9zml2yt · 09-10-2019 6:08pm

In the words of a very wise man...."the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"

But it would be irresponsible and uncaring...so yes.

Or else put all allergic kids into one school.

rizzodun · 09-10-2019 6:08pm

Imagine being so far up your own hole to think that your preference for nuts is above someone who could have a fatal attack due to being allergic...

EmmetSpiceland · 09-10-2019 6:08pm

I don’t think I ever ate nuts during my schooling. Sure the odd “Tracker” bar or “Snickers” but if it meant some kid wouldn’t die in front of me I’m fairly sure I could have gone without.

Fr_Dougal · 09-10-2019 6:12pm

Why were there no nut allergies in schools years ago?

Plumbthedepths · 09-10-2019 6:12pm

Have tbh here but I never gave my kids nuts when they were small, not because of any allergy of other kids. It was simply because I didn't trust them not to choke on them. Couldn't expect a teacher to keep an eye on twenty/ thirty little kids. Just wanted to lessen their odds of dying in school. ;-)

frag420 · 09-10-2019 6:13pm

I thought when you said banning nuts from school you were referring to crazy people, was wondering who was going to teach the kids?

Yer Da sells Avon · 09-10-2019 6:13pm

Not a huge sacrifice to make, in fairness. Unless you're a squirrel.

Atlantic Dawn · 09-10-2019 6:14pm

So no Snickers bars allowed for lunch, it's a disgrace Joe.

the_syco · 09-10-2019 6:14pm

What about people who are deadly allergic to bee stings? Should the schools not have flowers?

harr · 09-10-2019 6:15pm

I to have seen the affects of a selfish parent thinking the ban on nut products didn’t Apply To them. The child in question went to deaths door in a matter of minutes and this was only from minimal contact with someone who had been eating nuts. The teacher had an epi pen as did the child in her school bag. A very scary thing to see a child not being able to breathe.
The other parent it turns out had been told a number of times and criminal proceedings were threatened in the end, this was after the school sent all parents a letter from crumlin hospital stating the severity of this child condition.

endacl · 09-10-2019 6:19pm

Seems the general consensus is ‘have a bit of regard for the health and safety of other people’s children’, OP.

Go figure...

byhookorbycrook · 09-10-2019 6:19pm

the_syco wrote: »

What about people who are deadly allergic to bee stings? Should the schools not have flowers?

Bees are not generally on the desks where children are sitting. And children with bee allergies are far rarer. During the summer term, an SNA or yard duty teacher may well carry the epi-pen for that child.

Plumbthedepths · 09-10-2019 6:20pm

harr wrote: »

I to have seen the affects of a selfish parent thinking the ban on nut products didn’t Apply To them. The child in question went to deaths door in a matter of minutes and this was only from minimal contact with someone who had been eating nuts. The teacher had an epi pen as did the child in her school bag. A very scary thing to see a child not being able to breathe.
The other parent it turns out had been told a number of times and criminal proceedings were threatened in the end, this was after the school sent all parents a letter from crumlin hospital stating the severity of this child condition.

Curious , what criminal proceedings could have been brought ?
I feel sorry for the child in question, but little Johnny or Mary can bring a nut product to school without their parents knowledge.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 09-10-2019 6:22pm

OP if your child had a condition where dust from nuts (yes that’s how sensitive some people can be) could potentially kill them, would you want to risk a child who handled nuts picking up something belonging to your child and your child then putting whatever the other child touched into their mouth? Would you want your child to accidentally contaminate something that a child with a nut allergy then ate?

If you answer yes to both of those then you clearly are not a parent and hopefully never will be either.

1hnr79jr65 · 09-10-2019 6:23pm

I would agree that nuts should be banned for those with allergies, however best of luck enforcing that.

There is milk substitutes with nuts, breads, meats, home cooked meals and so on which could have nuts, so totally eliminating them would be next to impossible.

Most you could achieve is a ban on bringing bags of nuts or nut bars on school grounds. However if it ever got out that a child had an allergy and they were target of bullies or put under peer pressure to do something they don't and shouldn't have to do then this also exposes a gravely concerning area where others could bring nuts or products with nuts onto school grounds which could result in serious consequences.

Gatling · 09-10-2019 6:26pm

It's one of those things ,

I've seen parents in schools declare their kids have serious nut allergies and wheat allergies only to send in bread and chocolate spread in lunches while demanding that other Kids lunches be restricted ,

If they have a genuine diagnosis there shouldn't be an issue but you can't make a school environment 100% sterlile

Duane Dibbley · 09-10-2019 6:26pm

no there shouldn’t be a ban on nuts in schools.

Sottol · 09-10-2019 6:27pm

If the school has gone to the effort to communicate this with parents they obviously have a good reason. Don’t be an a$$ and think you’re above it.
If you want to be selfish and won’t comply move your children elsewhere

Yer Da sells Avon · 09-10-2019 6:29pm

"Political correctness gone mad, that's what it is. If my child wants to eat something that could potentially kill another child, then by God, I'll defend to the death (the other child's death, obviously) his right to do so."

Peatys · 09-10-2019 6:29pm

If your kids are that strung out for nuts, you've bigger problems.

byhookorbycrook · 09-10-2019 6:31pm

Sour Lemonz wrote: »

I would agree that nuts should be banned for those with allergies, however best of luck enforcing that.

There is milk substitutes with nuts, breads, meats, home cooked meals and so on which could have nuts, so totally eliminating them would be next to impossible.

Most you could achieve is a ban on bringing bags of nuts or nut bars on school grounds. However if it ever got out that a child had an allergy and they were target of bullies or put under peer pressure to do something they don't and shouldn't have to do then this also exposes a gravely concerning area where others could bring nuts or products with nuts onto school grounds which could result in serious consequences.

Our school (490 children) has a total nut ban. No problem, because all of our parents are good in this regard, you'd want to be a particular kind of gobdaw like the OP to endanger other children's lives.

Bullies bringing nuts in as a threat is, frankly, hilarious. Do you have primary age children? (Maybe the OP's kids if they have any, might, but otherwise :rolleyes:

And funnily enough, children who have serious allergic reactions don't feel the need to bow to peer pressure to put themselves at risk of death.

Emmersonn · 09-10-2019 6:34pm

Markcheese wrote: »

Why wouldn't you?
A nut allergy can be a very serious thing, and kids can do stupid stuff...

Smoking is a very dangerous habit both for the smoker and those inhaling the exhaled filth. Should'nt smoking be totally banned.

Princess Calla · 09-10-2019 6:36pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Why were there no nut allergies in schools years ago?

Apart from bars containing nuts like snickers and trackers etc. The only time I ever remember nuts being available was holloween.

Just because it wasn't as widely known as it is today doesn't mean it never existed.

As a meme said, Pluto was only discovered in the 1930s but I'm pretty certain is was around before then!!

To be honest I really don't see what the big inconvenience is. A child could die! I certainly wouldn't want to be responsible for that.

road_high · 09-10-2019 6:36pm

How we survived primary school from the late 80s to mid 90s without any of this namby pamby nanny state stuff is still a mystery to me. Allergies etc seemed to be almost unheard of

Strumms · 09-10-2019 6:38pm

the_syco wrote: »

What about people who are deadly allergic to bee stings? Should the schools not have flowers?

That’s ridiculous, just ban bees. Put up a sign...

I think the common sense things would be to educate kids regarding the allergy and allergy’s in general so it’s not just put in context of this one kid... ban peanuts from being eaten in lunch / classroom but anyone who has the want for nuts can eat them in the yard, kind of a common sense thing...

byhookorbycrook · 09-10-2019 6:39pm

road_high wrote: »

How we survived primary school from the late 80s to mid 90s without any of this namby pamby nanny state stuff is still a mystery to me. Allergies etc seemed to be almost unheard of

And so was dyslexia, dyspraxia, asthma etc.etc.etc.

Plumbthedepths · 09-10-2019 6:39pm

road_high wrote: »

How we survived primary school from the late 80s to mid 90s without any of this namby pamby nanny state stuff is still a mystery to me. Allergies etc seemed to be almost unheard of

Actually it would be more down to not knowing what the medical issue was and recording the consequences as unknown.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 09-10-2019 6:40pm

In college, I lived with a girl who had a very serious allergy to nuts and eggs. We talking trace amounts could kill her. All the other housemates were really careful. She was the only housemate to get her own kitchen press rather than sharing between two so that she could know exactly what was placed in there at all times. There was an exclusion zone around her food in the fridge, she had her own kitchen cloths and she brought a few pieces of cookware that only she would use. We took it very seriously.

I’m not sure children could be trusted to do the same. I think some children might even try to trigger the allergy if they got wind of it, not knowing the gravity of the situation. I guess the child could keep quiet about it and do their part to stay away from the foods of other children. But when the child is very young, could they be careless about this?

I’m actually on the fence here. It seems like something could be put in place to protect the child without having to go full ban. But, on the other hand, nuts are something other children can eat at home. It’s as serious as life or swift death for some people with allergies.

A ban on nuts isn’t something I’d get worked up about, to be honest. It’s a small thing.

Your Face · 09-10-2019 6:40pm

No I think schools for children should be banned.
They should go out and do a days work like the rest of us.
For far too long these pint-sized layabouts have shafted the system, lolling about in cozy schools whilst I go out working and payong for everything with my taxes.

Shelli2 · 09-10-2019 6:43pm

If a child in the school has an allergy, diagnosed, then fair enough.
But I've seen schools ban nuts and not have any children with officially diagnosed allergies, just in case??

I would totally comply with any ban and wouldn't risk any child's health.

I do wonder why there seems to be an increase in severe allergies over the last decade though. People try to say they were always there, but the nut bans were never there when we were kids, and surely if these severe reactions were at the same rate as today, there would be kids going into anaphylactic shock all over the place back then???

SEPT 23 1989 · 09-10-2019 6:43pm

Billions of Monkey nuts handed out at Halloween years ago

Nobody died

Dravokivich · 09-10-2019 6:46pm

Let's just let the need to vaccinate slide as well while were at it so.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 09-10-2019 6:47pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Why were there no nut allergies in schools years ago?

There were.

eviltwin · 09-10-2019 6:50pm

There's a ban in my sons school. It doesn't impact us at all. If he wants peanut butter, Nutella etc he can have them at home. There are plenty of options available for him to eat. Complaining about it seems very selfish under the circumstances

ldy4mxonucwsq6 · 09-10-2019 6:50pm

If being careful about what goes in the lunch box means another child avoids anaphylaxis then I have no problem with it.

All schools where I am have a complete 'no nuts' policy, its no big deal but if my child had a severe nut allergy then I would appreciate it.

1hnr79jr65 · 09-10-2019 6:50pm

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Our school (490 children) has a total nut ban. No problem, because all of our parents are good in this regard, you'd want to be a particular kind of gobdaw like the OP to endanger other children's lives.

Bullies bringing nuts in as a threat is, frankly, hilarious. Do you have primary age children? (Maybe the OP's kids if they have any, might, but otherwise :rolleyes:

And funnily enough, children who have serious allergic reactions don't feel the need to bow to peer pressure to put themselves at risk of death.

I don't have any children and frankly your response is lacking in maturity. Bullies are not all the knuckle dragging type they used to be perceived as, they have evolved and come in many different types especially as kids.

There are cases of kids bullying others for purposes of amusement, some bully by assaulting someone all while the youtube recording bully captures the moments as they enjoy watching others suffer. You have cases in the courts of teen bullies sexually assaulting and raping other children or teens through peer pressure or force and coercion.

Don't underestimate a bullies ability to use any situation to their advantage, yes some kids may be able to stand up to peer pressure however there are those that are not able to.

I went to school with bullies who were drug dealing so they could get free drugs from their dealer by getting others hooked, also some teens at my school you assaulted others with blades. Others were bullied for their sexual orientation, disability, social status, religion. We had bullies male and female who took advantage of others, its not purely defined by sex, gender, social or religious background for the bully or victim.

Bullies adapt as much as anyone else, i wouldn't put it passed a bully to use an allergy or affliction against someone. and soon as you recognize that maybe you will be that bit wiser and educated.

Ave Sodalis · 09-10-2019 6:52pm

A girl in my year in secondary school had a severe peanut nut allergy. Even the dust of one could set her off. There were almost 1000 students in the school and we had no problem adhering to a no peanuts policy. In my entire time there, she never once ended up in a critical situation. I'm really struggling to see why it would be an issue for anyone.

Peatys · 09-10-2019 6:52pm

Shelli2 wrote: »

If a child in the school has an allergy, diagnosed, then fair enough.
But I've seen schools ban nuts and not have any children with officially diagnosed allergies, just in case??

I would totally comply with any ban and wouldn't risk any child's health.

I do wonder why there seems to be an increase in severe allergies over the last decade though. People try to say they were always there, but the nut bans were never there when we were kids, and surely if these severe reactions were at the same rate as today, there would be kids going into anaphylactic shock all over the place back then???

Yeah!

GarIT · 09-10-2019 6:54pm

It's the same argument as juggling knives. It it's probably ok exercise and I'm sure the kids who are skilled at it would be fairly safe, but when it goes wrong someone's ****ed.

forestgirl · 09-10-2019 6:54pm

Alexandria Quick Doughnut wrote: »

What is the general consensus on this. IMO, I find it bizarre that the rest of the school population has to accommodate an extremely small % of kids who have an alleged nut allergy. One of the few things we can give kids that are healthy and they enjoy are being banned.

Do the schools ask for a confirmation from their doctor before they ask the rest of school population what to not feed their children? I have my suspicions that alot of these allergies are self diagnosed or the parents have been to some quack that did an online course.

What do these parents do when their kids are outside of school or go to summer camp, for a walk. Will the whole world bend to their needs?

You really need to educate yourself

iamwhoiam · 09-10-2019 6:56pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Billions of Monkey nuts handed out at Halloween years ago

Nobody died

Yes they actually did . Have you ever seen a child in anaphylactic shock ? I have and I did in the 70’s too and it’s frightening and horrible and a child can die before your eyes

My granddaughter is in Junior infants and they cannot bring in nuts or Nutella
Its not a problem at all and the children are well aware why they must protect their friend . They get it at age 4 and 5 and have no problem with it

Hobosan · 09-10-2019 7:00pm

Banning nuts increases allergies due to lack of exposure.

Now, read through this thread again and look at all the "gobdaws" on their high horses, making the problem worse while thinking themselves ultra considerate and clever.

Science deniers come in all stripes.

boombang · 09-10-2019 7:02pm

Lawyers.

SusieBlue · 09-10-2019 7:06pm

Is it really that much of a personal sacrifice to not send your kids to school with nuts in their lunchbox?

There was a child in the UK last year who had a severe dairy intolerance that all other children & staff were aware of.
Unfortunately dairy was a much harder food group to restrict & ban than nuts, so the child was heavily monitored instead.

One day, for a laugh, one of his classmates flicked a pice of cheese at the child that hit him in the neck. He didn’t even ingest it, it merely touched his skin.
He collapsed and died a few hours later.

Allergies are no joke and can have severe consequences if not correctly managed.

Would you rather your child be responsible for the death of their classmate due to a ‘joke’ like the above?
Or would you rather an outright ban, both to protect those with allergies and the other children like the above who do stupid things for lols?

One child is dead, and the other has to live with the consequences of the fact that he’s responsible for the death of his classmate.

I know which I’d pick. It’s the better option all round.

harr · 09-10-2019 7:07pm

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

Curious , what criminal proceedings could have been brought ?
I feel sorry for the child in question, but little Johnny or Mary can bring a nut product to school without their parents knowledge.

Not 100% sure but I know the school had to send legal correspondence as this was the 3rd it 4th time said parents had sent child to school with nut products it seems they were giving the child the stuff to bring in .

byhookorbycrook · 09-10-2019 7:09pm

Sour Lemonz wrote: »

I don't have any children and frankly your response is lacking in maturity. Bullies are not all the knuckle dragging type they used to be perceived as, they have evolved and come in many different types especially as kids.

There are cases of kids bullying others for purposes of amusement, some bully by assaulting someone all while the youtube recording bully captures the moments as they enjoy watching others suffer. You have cases in the courts of teen bullies sexually assaulting and raping other children or teens through peer pressure or force and coercion.

Don't underestimate a bullies ability to use any situation to their advantage, yes some kids may be able to stand up to peer pressure however there are those that are not able to.

I went to school with bullies who were drug dealing so they could get free drugs from their dealer by getting others hooked, also some teens at my school you assaulted others with blades. Others were bullied for their sexual orientation, disability, social status, religion. We had bullies male and female who took advantage of others, its not purely defined by sex, gender, social or religious background for the bully or victim.

Bullies adapt as much as anyone else, i wouldn't put it passed a bully to use an allergy or affliction against someone. and soon as you recognize that maybe you will be that bit wiser and educated.

You lost me at "I don't have any children." Educated?Wiser?I'm a primary teacher with over 30 years of experience. We have had a nut ban for about 15 years and never any issue with any child being threatened in such a fashion. Children who may otherwise be unkind or even bully others are very protective of the children with SEN/physical disabilities and allergies.

At a rough count. I've taught in 10 different schools. I'm in contact with hundreds of primary teachers per week. So, you know what, I'm going to claim more wisdom and education in this area?

I've witnessed junior infants tell sub teachers that X can't eat nuts/needs to go to the bathroom more often than others/needs an inhaler sometimes at PE (Sub teacher is always informed of any children with additional needs, but the children look out for them anyhow.)

ceadaoin. · 09-10-2019 7:09pm

Hobosan wrote: »

Banning nuts increases allergies due to lack of exposure.

Now, read through this thread again and look at all the "gobdaws" on their high horses, making the problem worse while thinking themselves ultra considerate and clever.

Science deniers come in all stripes.

It's not banning nuts? Its just at school. my daughters school went nut free this year because there is a student with an allergy. She can (and does) happily scoff down PB&J sandwiches, nutella, Reeses pieces and trail mix when at home or in public anywhere else. Hardly a big deal.

boombang · 09-10-2019 7:10pm

SusieBlue wrote: »

Is it really that much of a personal sacrifice to not send your kids to school with nuts in their lunchbox?

There was a child in the UK last year who had a severe dairy intolerance that all other children & staff were aware of.
Unfortunately dairy was a much harder food group to restrict & ban than nuts, so the child was heavily monitored instead.

One day, for a laugh, one of his classmates flicked a pice of cheese at the child that hit him in the neck. He didn’t even ingest it, it merely touched his skin.
He collapsed and died a few hours later.

Allergies are no joke and can have severe consequences if not correctly managed.

Would you rather your child be responsible for the death of their classmate due to a ‘joke’ like the above?
Or would you rather an outright ban, both to protect those with allergies and the other children like the above who do stupid things for lols?

One child is dead, and the other has to live with the consequences of the fact that he’s responsible for the death of his classmate.

I know which I’d pick. It’s the better option all round.

Really?

https://news.sky.com/story/boys-death-from-allergic-reaction-after-cheese-hit-neck-unprecedented-11710285

Wow!

Should nuts in school be banned for the small % who have "nut allergies"

Should nuts be banned in schools? 389 votes

Comments