The Rainbow School Board is creating peanut-free zones in all of its schools for students with this food allergy.
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An allergic child who sits at a desk where another student ate a peanut butter sandwich at lunchtime could get a reaction.
Peanuts, a cheap source of dietary protein predominantly ingested as peanut butter, has become one of the worldÂ?s most allergenic foods.
Contact with peanuts or peanut oil can cause anaphylaxis, an allergic shock or reaction which can lead to death. It has become more common because peanuts are progressively finding their way into more and more food products either directly, or by indirect contamination of food products during the manufacturing process.
Peanut may be designated on a food label in a less easily recognized term such as Â?hydrolysed vegetable proteinÂ? or Â?groundnuts.Â?
Residue of peanut material on a wiped counter top, cutlery or plates may induce a reaction. Aerosolized peanut material (e.g. opening a sealed jar of peanut butter, or fumes from cooking) may cause asthma in a susceptible individual. Some may experience nausea if people nearby are eating suspected foods.
Peanut material may be used to thicken chili, or to seal egg rolls. Bakery products and ice creams may easily be contaminated.
