Policy 5141.27 - Food Allergies/Special Dietary Needs

Food Allergies/Special Dietary Needs

The Board of Education desires to prevent studentsʹ exposure to foods to which they are allergic or intolerant and to provide for prompt and appropriate treatment in the event that a severe allergic reaction occurs at school.

The superintendent or designee shall develop guidelines for the care of food‐ allergic students. Such guidelines shall include, but are not limited to, strategies for identifying students at risk for allergic reactions, avoidance measures, education of staff regarding typical symptoms, and actions to be taken in the event of a severe allergic reaction.

Parents/guardians shall be responsible for notifying the superintendent or designee, in writing, regarding any food allergies or other special dietary needs of their child in accordance with administrative regulation.

When a studentʹs food allergy or food intolerance substantially limits one or more major life activities, his/her parents/guardians shall be informed of the districtʹs obligation to evaluate the student to determine if he/she requires accommodations pursuant to Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. The student shall be evaluated in accordance with law and the procedures specified in AR 6164.6 ‐ Identification and Education, Section 504. If that process results in the development of a Section 504 plan, the district shall provide the accommodations and/or aids and services identified in the plan.

If a studentʹs diet restrictions and needed services are addressed in an individualized education program (IEP), the superintendent or designee shall ensure compliance with the IEP including any necessary food substitutions.

Students shall not be excluded from school activities nor otherwise discriminated against, harassed, intimidated, or bullied because of their food allergy.

Any complaint of alleged noncompliance with this policy shall be addressed through appropriate district complaint procedures. 

The districtʹs food services program may, but is not required to, accommodate individual student preferences or diets that are not supported by a signed statement from the studentʹs health care provider.

Rule 5141.27

Definitions

Special dietary needs include food intolerances, allergies, and other medical needs that may require avoidance of specific foods.

Food allergies are abnormal responses of the bodyʹs immune system to certain foods or ingredients.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life‐threatening hypersensitivity to a substance and may be caused by a food allergy. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, difficulty talking or swallowing, hives, itching, swelling, shock, or asthma. (Education Code 49414)

Epinephrine auto‐injector is a disposable drug delivery system with a spring‐ activated needle that is designed for emergency administration of epinephrine to provide rapid, convenient first aid for persons suffering a potentially fatal reaction to anaphylaxis. (Education Code 49414)

Notification by Parent/Guardian The parents/guardians of any student who has a known food allergy or other special dietary need shall notify the superintendent or designee, in writing, and provide written medical documentation, signed by the studentʹs health care provider, that describes the nature of the studentʹs condition, instructions, and necessary medications. If the studentʹs condition requires food substitutions or modifications in school meals, the written signed statement shall also describe the specific foods to be restricted and the foods that should be substituted.

Health Plan

Upon receiving notice of a studentʹs food allergy or other special dietary need, the superintendent or designee shall ensure that a written health plan is developed, in consultation with the studentʹs parents/guardians and health provider, to manage the studentʹs needs while at school or at a school‐sponsored activity. The plan shall seek to minimize the studentʹs risk of exposure to the allergen and address actions to be taken if exposure occurs.

As appropriate, the plan may include specific food prohibitions and substitutions, an identification of common school rooms where the student may be exposed, staff responsibilities, information and training to be provided to staff, accommodations and services to facilitate the studentʹs participation in the educational program, and medical/emergency protocols.

When a student with a food allergy or other special dietary need has been identified as disabled pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, necessary accommodations and services shall be identified as part of the studentʹs Section 504 services plan or individualized education program, as appropriate.

Prevention Strategies

To minimize studentsʹ exposure to foods to which they are allergic, the superintendent or designee shall, at a minimum, implement the following preventive measures:

1. Notification to District Staff

When notified by the parent/guardian that a student has a food allergy, the superintendent or designee shall inform the studentʹs principal, teacher(s), bus driver, school nurse, coach, and/or any other personnel responsible for supervising the student. The principal or designee shall notify substitute staff of the identity of any students with known food allergies and the schoolʹs response plan.

2. Food Services

The districtʹs food services program shall make food substitutions in breakfasts, lunches, and after‐school snacks when students are considered to have a disability under Section 504 that restricts their diet and when a health care provider has signed a statement of need that includes recommended alternate foods. (7 CFR 210.10, 220.8)

Substitutions may be made on a case‐by‐case basis for students who do not have a disability under Section 504 but who cannot consume the regular breakfast, lunch, or after‐school snack because of medical or other special dietary needs, when supported by a statement of need signed by a health care provider.

The districtʹs food services staff shall check food labels or specifications to ensure that foods do not contain traces of substances to which the student is allergic. Under no circumstances shall food services staff prescribe nutritional requirements or revise a diet order prescribed by a health care provider.

Food substitutions shall not result in any additional cost to the student.

3. Class Parties/School Activities

Without identifying the student, the principal or teacher may notify parents/guardians of other students in the class that a student is allergic to a specific food and may request that certain foods not be provided at class parties or other school events.

Whenever the ingredients in any food served at class parties or other school activities are unknown, the student shall be encouraged to avoid the food.

4. Sanitation and Cleaning

To avoid spreading allergens, cafeteria tables and classroom surfaces shall be cleaned with fresh cloth or disposable paper towels utilizing cleaning products known to effectively remove food proteins, excluding waterless cleaners or instant hand sanitizers that do not involve a wet‐wash step. Cross‐contact from a sponge or cloth used to clean allergen‐containing tabletops shall be avoided.

Staff shall use and promote hand‐washing using soap and water before and after food handling. Students shall be notified that exchanging meals or utensils is prohibited.

5. Professional Development

School‐wide professional development shall be provided to appropriate staff on the identification and management of food allergies, including avoidance measures, typical symptoms, the proper use of epinephrine auto‐injectors, documentation and storage of medication, and emergency drills.

6. Supervision of Students

When available, staff who are trained and knowledgeable about symptoms of anaphylaxis and actions to take in an emergency shall provide supervision in the classroom and cafeteria, on the playground, and on field trips or other school activities whenever students known to have a food allergy are present.

7. Health Education

The districtʹs health education curriculum may include instruction on food allergies in order to assist food‐allergic students in taking responsibility for monitoring their diet and to teach other students about the dangers of sharing foods or utensils with others.

Emergency Response

Epinephrine auto‐injectors or other medicine provided for use in the event of an anaphylactic shock reaction shall be stored and used in accordance with law and Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions.

In addition, staff shall call 911 and seek immediate medical attention for a student experiencing an anaphylactic shock reaction.

As soon as possible, school staff shall contact the studentʹs parents/guardians or other person identified as an emergency contact.

When a student with a known allergy will be off school grounds, such as on a field trip, he/she shall be accompanied by a kit containing at least two doses of epinephrine, other medications as noted by the studentʹs health care provider, and as appropriate, and the studentʹs individualized food allergy plan