Schools @ AllergyHome.org - Helping Schools Manage Allergies

School nutrition professionals play a critically important role in managing food allergies in school. You are responsible for serving hundreds of students in a single day and are involved in meal and event planning as well as policy creation and implementation. Anyone that serves food to or prepares food for those with allergies needs to know how to prevent accidental exposures to allergens. As with all staff, know how to recognize allergic reactions and know your role in your school’s emergency protocol.

Staff Training: Food Allergies & Anaphylaxis in School – What School Staff Need to Know

This 30 minute module is designed to assist in the training of staff in the management of life-threatening allergic reactions and to increase food allergy awareness for all school staff including food service personnel.

Specific Topics Relevant to Food Service Professionals

Label Reading: Slides 28-35, 8:30-12:10 minutes
Cross Contact: Slides 40-47 ,13:29-15:42 minutes
Emergency Preparedness: Slides 58-74, 18:55-26:21 minutes

UPDATED OCT 2013: Staff training module has been reviewed and updated to be consistent with CDC’s Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Programs

Food Allergy Quiz

This multiple choice exam can be used to reinforce what was covered in “Management of Food Allergies in School: What School Staff Need to Know.” A certificate of completion is available to be printed or emailed after passing the exam.

Anaphylaxis: What School Staff Need to Know Written supplemental material that supports the above training module. This is designed to reinforce key principles in the management and recognition of anaphylaxis by school staff.

Cross Contact with Food Allergens

Reading Labels for Food Allergens

Food Allergy and School Nutrition Tips for Families

This parent information sheet highlights the important role of school nutrition staff and offers tips that encourage communication and a healthy partnership between families and school nutrition services.

NFSMI Resource: Managing Food Allergies in School

This 20 minute video was created by the National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) for school nutrition professionals to learn about managing food allergies. It offers an excellent overview and drives home the importance of using strategies to avoid exposure to allergens.

Additional Resources at NFSMI

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service

School Nutrition Association

National Education Association

Food Allergy Management & Education (FAME)

School Nutrition Resources