Microsoft word - nutminimisationpolicy2011.doc

SUBIACO PRIMARY SCHOOL
NUT MINIMISATION POLICY
RATIONALE
Subiaco Primary School have students who have been medically diagnosed with the potential to
suffer a sudden, severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction to nuts. This is known as
anaphylaxis. Even trace amounts of nuts can cause anaphylaxis. Most life threatening reactions
occur when nuts are eaten. Serious reactions can also occur from skin contact and inhalation of
nut particles.
The Role of all Parents
Please do not give your children foods containing nuts or peanuts to be consumed at school. Be aware that many foods contain traces of nuts (eg. Nutella, muesli bars, biscuits and Encourage thorough washing of hands and face if your child has eaten nut products before Avoid nuts and peanuts in birthday cakes and fundraising food that may be brought to school.
The Role of Parents with Anaphylactic Children
To inform the school of the medical situation and provide the school with an action plan devised and signed by the child’s doctor. To provide an Epipen in a shock proof, light proof container. To educate their child on nut avoidance. To respond immediately if contacted in an emergency. Parents are called after the ambulance. In a situation where there may be a concern about their child eating celebration cakes to To update the school when new medical information becomes available. To keep a note of the expiry date of the Epipen and replace expired pens.
The Role of the School
To ensure all staff have training in the use of an Epipen. Teachers will provide anaphylactic information at the relevant level for all students. To ensure relief teachers are aware of anaphylactic students. To follow the Medical Action Plan for each anaphylactic student as provided by parents. To ensure the safe, secure storage of Epipens. To take Epipens and Phenergan for relevant students attending excursions. In the case of emergency, as a last resort, another student’s Epipen will be used if their Epipen is unavailable. Specific permission for this will be sought in advance from each parent supplying an Epipen. To inform parents of the policy through the website and parent information session at the To include photographs of anaphylactic students in the medical room and staff room.
The Role of all Students
Students do not share or accept foods from others. Students should wash their hands before and after eating. Anaphylactic students are to inform a staff member if they have a concern or anaphylactic The following grid gives a clear outline of products the school recommends you don’t send. Bringing these to School
Sharing foods
Supplier
Students and staff
contain traces of nuts”
X = not recommended
Your assistance in providing a safe school environment is greatly appreciated.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can my child eat nuts? If your child eats a nut product before school please ensure that they wash their hands and face well. We request that students do not eat nut products while at school. Some students are very allergic to nuts and any contact can result in a reaction. What about the foods that state “may contain traces of nuts”? Anaphylactic students should not typically eat foods that state “may contain traces of nuts”. However, as this statement is used so widely with foods that do not contain nuts the school requests that parents make a judgement about the suitability of individual foods. What about the cakes brought to school (eg. cakes/treats)? Parents are encouraged to ensure that the cakes do not contain nuts. If this is not possible a note advising the class teacher that the cake may contain traces of nuts would be appreciated. Is the school policy consistent with Department of Education Policy? Yes. Isn’t anaphylaxis typically related to peanuts? Anaphylaxis can occur with any severe allergy such as an allergy to other nuts and bee stings. However, in school settings anaphylaxis to peanuts or other nuts has become increasingly common.

Source: http://subiacops.wa.edu.au/files/New-NutMinimisationPolicy2011.pdf