Carlstadt, NJ: "Food allergies in children are on the rise"; outside food banned from classrooms

Feb 8, 2018, NorthJersey.com: After allergic reaction, Carlstadt Public School bans classroom snacks https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/carlstadt/2018/02/08/after-allergic-reaction-carlstadt-public-school-seeks-enforce-classroom-snack-ban-after-allergic-rea/312389002/ In response to a medical emergency earlier in the school year, the Carlstadt Public School has banned food from classroom celebrations. … During that month, a student had an anaphylactic reaction in the classroom. The students were making gingerbread houses at the time. This prompted the need for a new strategy going forward, said Kollinok. … nearly one in 13 children have food allergies. The figures came about from a 2009-2010 survey of more than 38,000 children, which found 5.9 million children have food allergies. Statistics show that food allergies in children are on the rise, and school districts nationwide have been responding with new ways to accommodate their students. … Kollinok explained the school needed to take control of food and snacks being sent in by parents. This was happening in the primary grades, but the school also had to halt edibles in the intermediate and middle school grades, he said. … The superintendent said he did not know offhand exactly how many students had food allergies. “I know the number is significant, and involves foods other than just nut allergies,” said Kollinok. … In October, a letter by Principal Kenneth Foy went out to parents indicating birthday/celebration food treats were no longer permitted to be brought into classrooms. Foy noted this prohibition is in keeping with revisions to the federal Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. … Nationwide, food allergies among children increased almost 50 percent between 1997 and 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. …