Food Allergies

An increasing number of children have potentially life threatening food allergies.




If your child has a food or other potentially life threatening allergy, please discuss this directly with the school nurse at 508-541-5280 X2242.




Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening medical condition occurring in food allergic individuals after exposure to their specific food allergen.  The most dangerous symptoms of anaphylaxis are difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure, which can be fatal.






Foods that most commonly produce allergic reactions include

• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (examples: walnuts, almonds, hazelnut, cashew, pistachio and Brazil nuts)
• Shellfish/fish
• Eggs
• Soy
• Milk
• Wheat

Reactions can occur with

• Ingestion - when a child eats or drinks food containing the allergen
• Inhalation - some children have a reaction when they smell the food
• Touch - some children react even a small amount of the food touches the skin

Prevention of an allergic reaction

•   Avoidance of the food(s) that may trigger the allergy is the most important step.

Safety measures for the student with a potentially life threatening allergy

• Cafeteria
• Separate "nut free" tables have been established in the cafeteria as needed.  Other "specific food free" tables can be established as needed.
• Any student who does not have nut products in his/her lunch may also sit at the "nut free" table along with the students who are allergic to nuts.  
• Please read product ingredient labels to identify possible food allergens.  A good resource is the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) at http;//www.foodallergy.org 
• The Franklin Public Schools' Lunch Program website contains menus and food allergen information for parents at http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/lunchprogram/
• Classroom
• When a class has a student with a potentially life threatening allergy from touching or smelling certain foods, the class will be asked not to bring in snacks containing these foods.  These foods may be consumed in the cafeteria during lunch. 
• Whenever a class has a student with severe food allergies, the parents will be sent a letter requesting that certain foods not be sent in for class consumption.
• School wide
• Please refer to the Parmenter Elementary School Handbook for additional information at http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinDistrict_webdocs/handbooks/index