Health

Mass Hysteria Over Peanuts

by Karenke4 | December 10, 2008 at 01:55 pm

3459 views | 4 Recommendations | 4 comments

The great lengths that schools are now taking towards banning certain foods, especially nuts, are akin to mass hysteria, according to one Harvard professor.

Gone are the days of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich in every child's lunch box, as tighter and tighter regulations prevent any food items to accompany a student to school if it contains traces of nuts. Dr. Nicholas Christakis does not deem this reaction is in proportion to the actual threat, as stated in a recent opinion article.

In one case:

"a peanut was spotted on the floor of a school bus, whereupon the bus was evacuated and cleaned ... even though it was full of 10-year-olds who, unlike two-year-olds, could actually be told not to eat food off the floor," he writes.

But Christakis said there is no evidence that any of these extreme restrictions - including banning certain foods from schools - work better than more circumscribed policies or that they justify the disruptions they create.

However, what is deemed over cautious by some is thought responsible by others. Dr. Susan Waserman, an allergist believes that for parents whose children have severe allergies, no amount of safety is too much.

Waserman noted there are still many unanswered questions about allergies, such as how much of a certain food is needed to cause a reaction in a particular child and just how vigilant do parents and institutions like schools need to be.

Parents who must contend with the daily fear of their child having a fatal food reaction may want to err on the side of absolute caution.”

While nuts continue to get a bad rap, fellow Now Public reporters are reminding us that nuts are not all bad and can actually help cut heart problems.

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Amy Judd

at 14:13 on December 10th, 2008

I agree - I think it has gone over the top; it's exhausting now to deal with all of this!

Miriam Mannak

at 05:29 on December 11th, 2008

Yes - over the top indeed. If a child is allergic, make sure he / she knows this and is aware that it should not have a bite of his / her buddy's peanut butter sandwich! You cannot order every one else not to eat this or that, because one or two kids have an allergy.

I used to be allergic to cow's milk. I knew this, and therefore I drank fruit juice and not milk.

If we want to ban food related things, maybe we should look at all the preservatives and colorants that are used in the food industry.

Karenke4

at 09:10 on December 11th, 2008

I agree it has gotten out of hand. They make a point about young children, though, and I can see for banning nuts from the little guys, but once a child reaches a certain age they are able to manage their food intake. It is a good lesson for them, even. The thought of no PB&Js breaks my heart a little bit.

That being said, I don't have any kids, and if I did I may change my tune.

rolly clemente (not verified)

at 03:06 on December 18th, 2008

this is indeed over the top - over kill!! not all nuts are bad. peanuts become bad when they are stored over long period of time they and developed toxins. besides food in whatever form taken beyond moderation is bad!!!