What do you Think about the Ban on Peanuts?

rebeca  Wednesday, June 9, 2010

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I love this article from a Washington Post columnist who actually tries to understand the peanut allergy. Petula Dvorak (whose kids are not allergic to nuts) touches on a lot of interesting points, from what it’s like to live with a peanut allergy…always on the lookout for the invisible monster…to what it’s like when you have to cater to the individual needs of another child who’s allergic.

We’ve faced a lot of these same problems with my son. His allergy is a 4 on a scale of 1-4…so we’re pretty vigilant. We read labels, and don’t bring any nut products into our house at all. We carry an epi pen at all times, as well as a pre-measured dose of Benadryl. We keep nut free treats in the car so that we always have something safe to feed him, and we teach all of his caretakers and family members about his allergy so that they understands how severe it is. Most people get it, but a great many don’t.

But when it comes to a blanket ban on peanuts, I’m just not sure.

I’ve heard the argument for nut-free schools and I have to say that I’m still a bit on the fence about it. I definitely think that ALL daycare centers, pre-schools and kindergarten classes should be completely nut free…and I’m quite surprised that many in my area aren’t nut free already. Because, at that age, it’s difficult to teach children the importance of being careful. Hell, at that age, kids are picking their noses without a care in the world for spreading germs. A three-year old kid just doesn’t understand that if he eats a peanut butter sandwich, it could potentially cause a life threatening reaction if he were to touch my child with his grimy hands. Plus, at three, my child still has difficultly expressing pains and illnesses. He could easily suffer a reaction and lack the ability to tell his teachers. By the time they realize what’s happened, it could be too late.

But, nut free schools…I’m just not sure. While I think it would be great to know that my child would be free from this horrible monster, I sort of feel like it’s a bit unfair to the other kids. I can’t really expect the school system to change everything because one or two children have an allergy. Yes, they should not serve products that have hidden nuts, but ban them completely? I think that’s a bit harsh. If you ban nuts, then you should also ban fish, soy, eggs, wheat and dairy too–as those are the biggest threats when it comes to food allergies. At that point, what are the kids going to eat?

Plus, what about life outside of school? I can’t keep him in a bubble and there’s no way for me to know if the sales lady at Build A Bear ate a Reece’s cup before starting her shift. I can’t go to the mall and ask Mrs. Fields to stop selling cookies, or expect Dairy Queen to halt blizzard sales. All I can do is be cautious and ready for the possibility that he might have a reaction, and be prepared to handle it.

Now there are some things I would advocate when it comes to food allergies.

1. Restaurants should be required to give ingredient information that pertains to allergies. According to the The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, food manufacturers must include any of the top eight allergens, by common name, in the ingredients list if the allergen is in the food item. This includes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, dairy, wheat, fish and shellfish. I think the same regulation should be extended to restaurants. And, if it isn’t already, allergy information should be included in food safety training for those who handle food (cooks, servers, etc). More awareness on the severity would help food workers understand how important it is to be safe.

2. I love the idea of nut-free sections at ball parks and other major attractions. That would open a world of opportunity for our family. While my husband and I love going to football and baseball games, I’m not sure that I’ll ever feel safe taking my son. It would be like walking through fire and hoping not to get burned. I would love the chance to take my son without worrying about the guy next to us shelling through a bag of roasted peanuts. It would give us a great opportunity to enjoy one of life’s greatest pass times without the worry of a possible ride in an ambulance.

What about you? Do you think schools should be nut free? Or, are you secretly irked that you need to adjust your life because the kid next door has an allergy? Have you had to deal with a child who has a severe allergy? Or do you know someone who does, and wonder if they’re just a bit neurotic? I’d love to hear your feedback.