The Top 8 Food Allergens

These foods consist of about 90% of all known

food allergies.

WHEAT

EGGS

SHELLFISH

FISH

MILK

Norfolk Public Schools

Child Nutrition Services
The office of Child Nutrition Services
focuses on reducing the risk of allergic
reactions by reading the ingredient
labels for all food served within the
cafeteria. Great care is taken in
identifying the eight common food
allergens in all school foods that are
offered on a daily basis.
The cafeteria staff clean and sanitize
all food preparation surfaces and
utensils before food production.
Other potential sources of food
allergens are identified and reduced in
the schools kitchen.
Students with medically diagnosed
food allergens are reported to the
school, shared with the schools
Cafeteria Manager and documented
by the Registered Dietitian.

PEANUTS

Food Allergy
and the School
Environment

SOY

TREE NUTS
Tree Nuts: almonds, brazil nuts, cashews,
chestnuts, filberts, hazelnuts, macadamia
nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and
walnuts.

For Additional Resources:

allergyreadycom
Foodallergy.org
NASN.org
cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/

Kelly Freno
CRD 2.2

What to do in the Event

of an Allergic Reaction

Food Allergies
What is a Food Allergy?
The body mistakenly reacts to a certain
food or ingredient as if it were harmful.
The food that causes the reaction is
called an allergen.

1. Know your schools

Food Allergy Plan.

How common are food

allergies?
Food allergies occur as frequently as
one in every 13 children. That means
there will be about two children with
food allergies in every classroom.

Symptoms of an Allergic
Reaction

Skin rash or eczema.

PLACE PHOTO HERE,

OTHERWISE
Swelling of
the tongue
DELETE
BOX or
throat and difficulty
breathing.

What are some common

triggers for an allergic
reaction?
Allergic reactions are most frequently
brought on by:
Food
Insect Stings
Medications
Latex Products

What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a serious, whole-body
allergic reaction. It is characterized by
a rapid onset, starting within seconds
to minutes of exposure. It can be
potentially life-threatening if
intervention is not provided promptly.
Always know your schools food allergy
procedures.

Itching in the mouth and

throat, nausea, diarrhea,
and/ or vomiting.

Anaphylaxis

Drop in blood pressure

and loss of
consciousness.

Death

2. Recognize the signs

and symptoms of an
allergic reaction.
3. Give EpiPen at the first
sign of a known
anaphylactic reaction.
(Epinephrine auto-injector)

4. Call 9-1-1
5. Monitor Student.
(Note: a second dose can be
administered if symptoms
persist or reoccur after 5
minutes)

Reducing the Risk of an

Allergic Reaction
1.

Check the ingredient label.

2. Prevent cross-contact of foods.

3. Identify other potential sources
for food allergy.
4. Involve the school community.

EpiPens can be safely given to

normal, healthy people without
causing any harm.