A severe nut allergy can be life threatening. Since we have several children in school who suffer from a severe nut allergy, it is essential that children who have an allergy do not come into contact with nuts or nut products. With this in mind we ask that all parents and carers follow our 'No Nuts In School Rule'.
We ask that parents are particularly vigilant with pre-wrapped foods and shop bought birthday cakes, cookies, cup-cakes etc. Please check the ingredients before sending these to school.
If your child does have a nut allergy then we ask that you talk to him/her about not sharing snacks with or accepting food from others in school or elsewhere, just in case of contamination from a different source.
Tree Nut Allergy
Tree nuts are nuts that grow on trees. They include almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachio and walnuts. Peanuts are in a different category (pea family) since they grow underground. Up to half of individuals allergic to peanuts will also be allergic to tree nuts.
Some individuals with hay fever can be allergic to pecan and walnut trees. Here, the individuals are allergic to the pollen of the trees- not the nuts themselves. There is no cross-reactivity between pollen from pecan/walnut trees and the nuts of these trees.
One of the biggest difficulties with nut avoidance has to do with cross-contamination. Dishes and foods can be contaminated with nuts during processing and cooking. Please inform the school and school nurses about any allergies your child has so that we can inform the canteen and teachers. Also please teach your child not to share snacks etc. in school.
Do not bring to school:
- Almond
- Brazil nut
- Cashew
- Chestnut
- Filbert
- Hazelnut
- Macadamia nut
- Peanuts
- Pine nut
- Pistachio
- Walnut
Safe to eat:
- Nutmeg is safe to eat. Although the name would lead one to believe it is made from nuts, it is actually made from the seed of the fruit that is grown on a tropical evergreen called Myristica fragrans.
- Water Chestnut is safe to consume and should not be confused with chestnut.
- Coconuts
What about coconuts?
There is some confusion as to whether coconuts should be classified as nuts or drupes (which also include walnuts and almonds). Regardless of the classification, what really matters is whether there is cross-reactivity between tree nuts and coconuts.
What is known so far is that coconut allergy is a rare allergy - only a few case reports have been published. In some cases, but not all, the individuals also had tree nut allergies and cross-reactivity between these foods was detected during testing. Thus, to be safe, individuals with tree nut allergies may want to be tested to coconut allergy before consuming them.
Thanks in advance for helping us to make our school a safe place for all. If you have any questions, please contact our School Nurse Team. Thank you!
Tel: 8047 3588 Ext 2519/2562
Email: nursesy@britishschool.org.cn
