Please welcome Anne Munuoz-Furlong. Anne Munuoz-Furlong is founder of the Food Allergy Network, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness about food allergy and anaphylaxis, providing education, and advancing research on behalf of those affected by food allergies. I am happy to be here. Food allergy affects between six to seven million Americans.
Reactions can be mild, moderate or severe.
Some people only have mild symptoms but if they eat enough of the food they have a more serious reaction, however. Good question and one that causes a lot of confusion. You will need to provide the school with written documentation of the allergy from your child's doctor, what foods she should avoid, and what foods should be substituted. Give this to the food service staff for processing. The USDA further states that the school should not charge families for the substituted food.