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Nurse's Corner » Food Allergy Management

Food Allergy Management

Cranford Public Schools

Cranford, New Jersey



Food Allergies


Food allergy reactions and like-threatening anaphylaxis may occur at school.  The risk of accidental exposure to trigger foods can be reduced in the school setting if schools communicate with students, parents, and physicians to minimize risk and provide a safe educational environment for food allergic students.


Extra care is sometimes needed to provide a safe environment for food allergic children. 


As the medical professional, the school nurse is best suited to educate the school community and ensure the safety of food allergic children.


The Cranford Public Schools have implemented the following guidelines:


  1. The nurse will work with parents and teachers to develop an individual healthcare plan as well as an emergency healthcare plan.
  2. All medications, including but not limited to Epinephrine and Benadryl will be kept in a readily available labeled location.
  3. Designated school staff will be trained by the school nurse to administer Epinephrine in the event of the nurse’s absence. (C.18A:40-12.3)
  4. All Epinephrine auto-injectors will be stored with names, dosage, expiration date, emergency numbers and all other pertinent information.
  5. The school nurse will provide inservice education about severe allergies for all staff, including teacher, administration, cafeteria staff and aides, who will come in contact with severely allergic students.
  6. The nurse will provide a letter to the parents of classmates alerting them (anonymously) of the kind of allergies (peanut or tree nut) in the class and request they avoid sending in those products for snacks.
  7. No sharing of food or utensils in the classroom or cafeteria.
  8. A nut free table will be offered;it will be used exclusively for students with nut allergies. The table will be cleansed with separate cleaning utensils after each lunch period.
  9. Parents must request in writing for their child to sit at the nut free table and if requested then they must submit in writing a request to stop using the table.
  10. In grades K-5, after snack and lunch, classmates of students with contact nut allergies should be instructed to wash their hands and desks should be cleaned.
  11. All celebrations during school hours will be food free celebrations.