Navigating the Cafeteria: Keeping Students with Allergies Safe at School
1 in 13 children or roughly 8% of our nation's children have a dietary allergy. Immune reactions to offending foods vary by individual and may range from mild symptoms such as skin rashes of GI disturbances to severe or life-threatening anaphylaxis. The most common provoking foods, commonly known as the Top 9 Allergens include: dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame. There are no cures for food allergies, so absolute avoidance is essential for a child's health and safety.
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It is critical to source allergy-compliant meal components - proteins like beef, poultry, pork, legumes, cereals and grain products, non-dairy milk substitutes, spices, and seasonings.
​Here is a sample menu free from The Top 9 Allergens:
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· Breakfast: Gluten-free overnight oats with fruit, sunflower seed topping
· Lunch: Chicken fajita bowl with rice, corn and beans + vegan option
· Snacks: Fresh fruit, tortilla chips, vegetable sticks with hummus
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Sourcing Allergy-Safe Foods for Children
Allergy-Safe Food Manufacturers
Numerous food service manufacturers cater to special dietary needs by offering allergen-free meal options.
​Sample of manufacturers that provide allergen-free food products:
(note: not all products from these manufacturers are allergen-free. Check individual product specification sheets for complete ingredient information and potential allergens)
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Del Real
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General Mills
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JTM
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Jennie O
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Kellogg’s
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Knorr
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Mi Rancho
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Michael B’s Bestway
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Red Gold
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Zee Zee
among others.
Learn More about Allergen Safety
(Links here)