(Canada) Ottawa: Parents warned about banned foods in school lunchboxes

Sept 10, 2017, CBC (Canada): Lunchbox letdown: parents grapple with long list of banned foods at schools http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lunchbox-letdown-parents-confused-over-ban-on-peanut-butter-alternatives-1.4281489 As another back-to-school season gets underway, lunchtime rules have gotten more complicated for some Ottawa parents who are being warned to avoid more and more allergens. Kim Baker said she was shocked to get a letter from her daughter's elementary school in Barrhaven with a long list of foods that were banned this year, including a peanut butter alternative called Wowbutter. ... "It says, 'Please read and avoid bringing any of these items to school.' ... Baker said the letter from St. Emily School advised her that one or more children in her daughter's Grade 4 class had potentially fatal allergies and certain foods had to be avoided. She was initially worried about how she'd be able to manage such a long list of allergens, especially gluten. … Pong said while the number of children and teenagers visiting emergency rooms with severe allergic reactions continues to increase, fatalities remain rare. He credits this to greater awareness, both in homes and in schools. ...