Food Allergies

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

To keep your child safe communicate any known allergies or dietary restrictions to your school nurse. Documentation from a medical provider is necessary. Any student with documented food allergies will receive food allergy management in school, including:

• Documenting and tracking individual student allergies in a confidential and respectful way.
• Making appropriate menu accommodations for food allergies.
• Avoid the use of identified allergens throughout the school day.
• Establish food bullying and harassment prevention strategies.
• Enforce proper hygiene for all students before and after meals to prevent cross contact.

Food & Nutrition Services will make necessary substitutions available once records are obtained from a licensed medical provider. Specialized menus may be developed as needed. If you would like to speak with the School Dietitian to learn more about this process or to determine which menu items your child can (or cannot) consume, please call Food & Nutrition Services at (315) 435-4207.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child has had a change in food allergies!
How do I notify the district? 

Provide a physician's note or Meal Modification Form signed by a medical provider. It must indicate the allergy, the food (or foods) to be omitted, and the food (or foods) that must be substituted. Please note that documentation is also needed to update or remove allergies. 

The allergy note can be given to the school nurse at your child's school, mailed to the Food Service Department at 369 6th North Street, Syracuse, NY 13208, or emailed to the School Dietitian Rebecca at rgarofano@scsd.us. 
 

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy happens when your innume system occerreacts to a harmless food protein. To learn more about food allergies, please see resources provided by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). 

How common are food allergies among children?

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 5.6 million children have food allergies. Eight foods cause 90% of most food allergy reactions, which include; milk, eggs, peanuts, treenuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance? 

A food allergy is an immune reaction.This means the body’s immune system identifies a food as dangerous, and then creates antibodies that lead to an allergic response. Severe cases of an allergic reaction may cause anaphylactic shock, which is when your blood pressure drops so low that your cells and organs do not get enough oxygen. If not treated right away anaphylactic shock may be life threatening, Food intolerance is caused by the body not producing proper enzymes to break down elements of a food. As a result, those with food intolerance may have difficulty digesting certain foods.  It is important to note that a food intolerance is different than a food allergy. Often times people with an intolerance may eat a small amount of these foods without a reaction.

How does the school prevent bullying around food allergies?

Having a food allergy is considered a disability. A student experiencing bullying based on a disability is discrimination and is a Section 504 violation. Complaints can be made to the Office of Civil Rights. 

Where can I get additional information about food allergies?

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team
Food Allergy Research and Education
Tips for Newly Diagnosed Allergies
Allergy Symptoms and Reading Food Labels
CDC Healthy Schools/Food Allergies in Schools
Children Food Allergy Facts & Figures
Reading Food Labels