If you’ve been a member of the InJoy community for awhile, you know that anytime we celebrate in class (Halloween, Valentine’s Day), we have a “No Nuts” policy. We also ask that you share any food allergies with us when you enroll so that we can make individual classes aware of other food allergies. It’s important to us to honor the needs of children and help make sure they are safely included in opportunities for snacks and treats. Before each class celebration, your educator will give you a list of children in the class and will make you aware of any food allergies (the allergy only.. not the specific child’s name). When planning a treat to share, you are encouraged to read labels carefully to avoid those allergies. Your educators and the families in your class appreciate your cooperation.
Here are some interesting facts about Food Allergies in the United States:
* Nationally, 8% of children (that’s 6 million kids!) have food allergies and young children tend to be the most affected.
* Food allergy is a growing public health concern.
* As many as 15 million people have food allergies.
* An estimated 9 million, or 4%, of adults have food allergies.
* Boys appear to develop food allergies more than girls.
* Food allergies may be a trigger for or associated with other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.
* Although childhood allergies to milk, egg, wheat, and soy, generally resolve in childhood, they appear to be resolving more slowly than in previous decades, with many children still allergic beyond age 5 years. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shellfish15 are generally lifelong allergies.
To learn more about Food Allergies, visit the FAAN Website. You’ll find information about many types of food allergies, FAQs, research, advocacy information, and much more. If you’d like to get involved on a local level, this Saturday, September 15th, is the Food Allergy Walk in Kansas City. By participating in this walk, you’ll help support the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) in their ongoing research and support of families dealing with food allergies.