For many parents across the country, the end of the summer holiday and the start of the next academic year is cause for celebration but for parents of children with food allergies, it can be a very daunting one indeed.Why does it matter?50% of children in the UK have some form of allergic condition with food allergies emerging as an increasing problem and the most common cause of anaphylaxis. More than 17 Million people suffer from a food allergy in Europe and more than 3.5 million are younger than 25. Parents of children with food allergies find themselves in a difficult position, whilst wanting to encourage the independence of their child it is also important to ensure their safety and relinquishing responsibility into the hands of the school can be very challenging.
What can you do about it?One of the biggest issues amongst children in schools is a lack of awareness about the severity of food allergies. What may seem like a harmless peanut to one child is a potentially life-threatening situation to another. Some would argue that removing high-risk foods from the school environment could be the solution, but establishing a ‘nut free’ zone is not the answer. Although it may provide a temporary solution, an exclusion policy does not teach allergic children, or their classmates, the challenges that they will face in the real world. Instead, it only gives parents a false sense of security, which vanishes the moment their child leaves the school gate. To make school life safer for children with food allergies it is imperative that allergy education is made part of the norm.Kafoodle wants to see allergy awareness embedded within the school culture. It recently emerged that 1 in 5 children with food allergies are bullied as a result of being seen as ‘other’ from their classmates. To integrate awareness of food allergies into school life it is imperative that awareness is raised early in a child's school life and a policy of education and is integrated throughout the establishment.Let Kafoodle helpCatering in the education sector has its own unique requirements. No two students are the same, whether they have specific dietary requirements or simply preferences around food, caterers must deliver imaginative, flexible and nutritious menus that will feed and appeal to everyone. Kafoodle is an award-winning easy-to-use menu management software system, helping you to optimise allergen communication between your kitchen, students and their parents or guardians. How can we do this? By communicating accurate menu information, including allergens and nutrition, directly to parents, guardians and students fingertips through interactive mobile apps and browser-based interfaces. Filterable menus allow students to easily search for food in line with their dietary requirements, giving them the confidence to enjoy food without having to worry about their food allergy. Additionally, providing dietary information will help children to make informed decisions by teaching them the basis of a healthy lifestyle. It’s time to remove the stigma surrounding students with allergies and special diets and encourage a feeling of safety, control and ownership.You can find out more about what Kafoodle can do for you here or by contacting us directly at: info@kafoodle.com or on 02033710450We'd love to hear from you!
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