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12.21.10, 08:50 AM General Topics
87 replies
Tragic. A child died at a Chicago public school due to an allergic reaction to peanuts in Chinese food that was ordered at the school. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/21/seventhgrader-katelyn-car_n_799633.html [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 12.21.10, 08:50 AM Flag
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oh boy, here come all the nutty ub moms, out of the woodwork.....fasten your seatbelts, here they come! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 08:51 AM Flag
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A. child. died. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 08:54 AM Flag
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NP: yes, it was very tragic. Doesn't change the fact that a very small number of children have life threatening and severe allergies such as this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 08:56 AM Flag
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yes, and a child is beaten and abused right here in our very own city every hour on the hour. agreed, both are horrible. but please accept the fact that the abuse happens with far more frequency than the sad, sad peanut allergy death. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:02 AM Flag
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But if all you read was UB, you would think the #1 risk facing US children today was peanut allergies. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:21 AM Flag
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NP No, you'd think the #1 risk was not getting into the top preschool!!! THE HORROR! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:41 AM Flag
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I love you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:40 PM Flag
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smooches@ [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 05:03 PM Flag
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OP - not saying at all that tons of children die constantly from this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:02 AM Flag
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True, it's only a small number, but they knew they had one and it's not like Chinese food is a must-have. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:03 AM Flag
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No, but the teacher called the restaurant to ensure peanuts wouldn't be used. No one was neglient here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:05 AM Flag
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Honestly, I don't even trust my local take out to heed my 'no broccoli' request. I still think it was risky. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:16 AM Flag
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what's wrong with broccoli? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:13 PM Flag
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sounds like the restaurant was negligent [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:56 AM Flag
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I'm not sure many people would think of peanut oil. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:27 AM Flag
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The parent would have. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:17 PM Flag
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^^^ the teacher probably called and quickly said "any peanuts?" and the person at the restaurant said no. The parents would have known to drill down deeper and ask about the oil, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:25 PM Flag
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Poster above was diminishing the tragedy by ignoring it and focusing on "nutty ub moms". Tasteless. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:03 AM Flag
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I was the NP and yes, I agree with that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:05 AM Flag
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NP Tritto. It is very sad. Whether sad AND rare or sad and common, still sad and tragic for this family to lose a child. Horrible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:39 AM Flag
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someone must be very dumb not to realize that peanut oil is a staple in chinese cooking. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 08:59 AM Flag
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ita. if you have two kids with peanut allergies in your class, you do not order Chinese food. teacher must feel pretty bad, I would think. Very dumb. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:36 AM Flag
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I wouldn't think about it, honestly, and I'm not dumb. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:40 PM Flag
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I believe you are not dumb but you are not very food savvy and probably don't live in NYC. In NYC, I would thin one were very sheltered to not know this about Chinese food, as it is so prevalent and such a widely known fact. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 02:39 PM Flag
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unfortunately, when you see your kid quit breathing due anaphylaxis, you are forced to educate yourself and get smarter FAST. Ignorance can be deadly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 12:02 PM Flag
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OP - I am not someone who has engaged in the great nut debate on here ever. I just wonder why the teacher would ever take this risk? She knew there was an allergy and tried to prevent it, but why even go there? It seems like a gamble, but for no reason. So sad. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:01 AM Flag
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I don't think it's a gamble. It sounds like the teacher told them no peanuts and didn't realize they would be using peanut oil. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:05 AM Flag
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But why even order something that you don't have to have and rely on the message getting through to potentially numerous cooks? She's not to blame, I just wouldn't take that risk as a teacher. I guess I'd be the Chinese food grinch, but I wouldn't order a known allergen with modifications and hope it was changed, if it were my responsibility. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:08 AM Flag
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I personally, and I suspect others as well, didn't know peanut oil was something commonly used in Chinese food. I understand the teacher thought she had eliminated the risk. My dd is allergic to coconut/coconut oil. You wouldn't believe how many things have this. Almost all gummy candy. I'm diligent about reading all labels. I would understand if someone gave her something that was say cherry thinking it was safe because it was coconut. Only to find out it did infact have coconut in it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:22 AM Flag
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NP Is coconut oil not broken down enough? I mean, if your kid is coconut allergic they obv. can't eat an actual coconut, but when it's in say, a gummy candy, isn't that sort of broken down so as to no longer be a risk? I only ask b/c my dd used to be soy allergic but was cleared to have soy lecithin and soy oil b/c they are tolerated by almost all soy-allergic individuals. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:43 AM Flag
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I didn't know this. I will try giving her candy with coconut oil and see if she has a reaction. Her allergy is severe. She will break out in hives. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:17 AM Flag
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^^^isn't severe [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:18 AM Flag
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Oh, no, no! I wouldn't suggest that, OP -- not unless you talk with your allergist and get her okay first. I was just curious if it was the same as the soy vs. soy oil situation we experienced. Please talk to a doctor before giving your kid a coconut product!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:23 AM Flag
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Because I know how she will react, I would try it. Other things she was allergic too when younger she is no longer allergic too. Her allergies are not severe enough for her to have an allergist. I was allergic to eggs as a toddler by 5 or so I'd grown out of it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:26 AM Flag
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Food allergies are idiopathic. You never "know" how a person will react. Just b/c a person got hives once does not mean they will not go anaphylactic on the next exposure. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 11:56 AM Flag
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It was ignorant of a teacher in a position to run a class with kids with allergies. And she knew enough to know Chinese food has peanuts in it, so don't go to a place that cooks with peanuts. They aren't going to buy new woks. There was obviously risk of contamination and why? So they could eat Chinese food? Just order pizza and be safe. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:40 AM Flag
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No need to have food at all, it's school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 11:56 AM Flag
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Most children with nut allergies are not actually allergic to nut oils used in this country because the oils are highly refined and all proteins are removed from them (the protein is what causes the reaction, not the oil). What's more likely is that there were traces of peanuts on the utensils and pots used to prepare the food (ie they weren't washed before cooking), and that's what caused the reaction in the severely allergic child but not in the moderately allergic one. FWIW, I speak from experience--it's highly unlikely that my moderately allergic child would get a reaction in this scenario, but several of his friends almost certainly would. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:32 AM Flag
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I don't think it was a gamble at all. She took the necessary precautions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:06 AM Flag
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OBVIOUSLY she did not! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:28 PM Flag
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No, she did not. If it were my child I would be push the DA to pursue manslaughter charges. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 11:57 AM Flag
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This is very sad and tragic. It seems the teacher was diligent in telling them no peanuts. They didn't put peanuts but peanut oil. Another kid with the allergy, I guess not as severe, didn't have a reaction. This sounds like one of those horrible things, where no one is to blame. An accident. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:02 AM Flag
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np: ITA -- it sounds like you are one of the few posters here who actually read the article. Odd that the 2nd kid didn't have a reaction -- it's possible that the allergic reaction was from something other than peanuts. Very sad and unfortunately can happen even with the best of intentions. I know dc has 2 friends with severe peanut allergies and I am very nervous about giving them any food. Even at 10 years old, I'm still calling the mom to double check before I give any food and I still worry that I haven't been careful enough. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:07 AM Flag
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NP You sound very thoughtful and cautious!! My dd has food allergies. Would you ever want to ask the parents to send a snack for your kid to share with their child? I mean, have the allergic kid show up for a playdate with their bag of pretzels or whatever and enough to split with your kid? It might give you peace of mind and I am sure any parent of a kid with food allergies would be more than willing to do this to a) keep their kid safe and b) help you out, too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:40 AM Flag
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The dcs often did this when they were younger, but honestly, at this age it appears the parents trust their dcs to know what they can eat. And I think they are probably right. Often a dc will tell me they are allowed to eat something and I still double check with moms although I am trying to do less of that since moms clearly don't feel it is necessary (usually they say "oh yes sally knows what she can eat, she's right that xxx food is okay"). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:00 AM Flag
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I am sure the moms or dads don't mind, though, and you do sounds very nice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:14 AM Flag
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^^^Sorry, meant I am sure they don't mind your calling to double check! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:15 AM Flag
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i'm surprised that if the dc's allergy was this severe the mom would not have warned her about eating any food other than what she provided and in particular warning her away from chinese food. many dcs with peanut allergies have died from doing so. it's a big culprit. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:06 AM Flag
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I agree my BF's DC has severe allergies and he knows to not eat any outside food and he will tell you. DD 4 was told be her Ped that she shouldn't eat tomatoe products and she reminds me. She is not allergic but it can cause gastro problems. Maybe no one knew how severe the allergy was. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:13 AM Flag
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I read the article, it sounded like the teacher called a few times to confirm that there would be no nuts in the food, I am sure she ran this by the kid/kid's parents and the parents gave the okay. My dd has food allergies and is told not to eat food unless I give the okay BUT my dd is in K which is very different. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:38 AM Flag
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This is a little weird. She was in 7th grade and either never ate Chinese food (because she and her parents knew of the possible allergic reaction)or did eat Chinese and never had a reaction. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:22 AM Flag
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I thought this also. It seems odd that she'd never had Chinese food before. Maybe she had a reaction to something other than the peanuts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:25 AM Flag
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certainly tragic, but a 7th grader with such a severe allergy should have known to only eat things prepared at home. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:27 AM Flag
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Not sure about that -- my guess is that if the teacher called ahead of time and spoke with the restaurant and then ran it by the parents the parents made the decision to okay this. My friend's son has nut allergies and she takes him out to eat but just mentions it each time to a restaurant and makes sure there is nothing he's allergic to in there. So.... perhaps these parents do the same, and maybe even called the restaurant themselves? Obv. we don't know all the details but I am guessing that this was not sprung on the kid as a surprise. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:17 AM Flag
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NP My allergist actually suggests his peanut-allergic patients avoid 1) ice cream parlors (due to the cross-contamination of the scoops) 2) Asian restaurants (due to the use of nuts in dishes and peanut oil for frying) and 3) buffets because it's too hard to avoid having food fly from one dish into another. If this family was cautious (my dd has food allergies, so I understand this) they may very well have chosen to avoid Chinese food entirely. I know we do w/our dd. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 09:31 AM Flag
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Tweens really feel the peer pressure. I am so sorry she died trying to fit in. It's a wake up call to me as a food allergy mom. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 11:59 AM Flag
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That is so sad. I do think the teacher tried, but this is the difference between someone who really understands how true food allergies operate and someone who doesn't really get it...you have to know the right questions to ask at restaurants, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:13 AM Flag
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After reading about this it sounds like the child may not have known she was so allergic. If she did, wouldn't she have had an epi-pen or the school have one for her in case of an emergency. Seems to me the lesson in this tragedy is that schools should be allowed to keep epi-pens in every classroom in case something like this happens. Apparently, you can develop a more severe reaction over time and so why not be safe? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:50 AM Flag
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It is surprising that she or the school nurse didn't have an epi-pen. In the eighties when epi-pens were first being used I had one and the school nurse had one just for me because I had a severe allergic reaction to something (it was never determined what I was reacting to). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:23 AM Flag
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I was confused about this as well, did she not have an EpiPen on hand? Was there a school nurse in the building? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:24 AM Flag
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Yes, it does seem odd that one wasn't available, or maybe it just didn't save her? I'm not sure. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 12:42 PM Flag
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isn't it odd that a seventh grader didn't refrain from eating strange food? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 10:58 AM Flag
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ita. Reading the article, though, it seems calls were made by another parent of an allergic child to ensure the food was free of peanuts. Everyone knows, though, that NO Chinese restaurant is totally peanut free. All their cookware would have peanut oil residue. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:39 AM Flag
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So sad. My heart goes out to the family. R.I.P. I do think that there is more to the story and I hope the teacher doesn't beat herself up about it as it seems she did everything right. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:11 AM Flag
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Not really. My kids do not have peanut allergies but in this day and age to not understand that kids with peanut allergies don't order Chinese food is kind of weird. Did she check with the girls' parents? Her peanut allergy may simply have been to a more severe degree than the other girl's -- well, obviously it was. Allergies have different levels of severity. Bit at that age, I am surprised the girl did not know to refuse Chinese food. Perhaps the teacher and restaurant misled her. When the teacher asked, did she say the no peanuts was not just a taste issue but an allergy issue? Restaurant should have known about peanut oil. I don't think this would happen in NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:43 AM Flag
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I think the rest. must not understand the issues of cross-contamination or cleaned their cookware well enough, it does sound as if the teacher called and confirmed "no nuts" in the food. Sad all around. Very awful. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 11:47 AM Flag
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"No nuts" in the food is different from "no peanut or sesame oil" and the teacher and/or restaurant failed to understand that this, also, was crucial. If teacher asked, "Are there peanuts in the food?" I can see an un-allergy aware restaurant manager or whomever answered the phone not understanding that that would also mean in the oil - teacher should have known to specifically ask about the cooking oil. People I know with nut-allergy kids simply will not eat food from Chinese restaurants, period the end. Sesame and peanut oil are a staple in their cooking. It would be like having an olive allergy and going to an Italian restaurant ordering things without olives, not understanding that almost everything will be cooked with olive oil. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 02:30 PM Flag
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Agreed, but it is pretty insane that this restaurant didn't understand the question being asked of them -- is this the first time they have ever heard of food allergies? This is just a tragic story, and there was no malice, but certianly a lack of any education or awareness of dietary restrictions on the part of the establishment. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 05:09 PM Flag
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maybe someone should open a school that is allergy free. No eggs, dairy, peanuts etc - all allergens banned. It is so tragic but it can't be avoided. There are other things that may be deadly to other kids - not just peanuts [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 01:29 PM Flag
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parent of a child with multiple allergies---i think that would be totally unfair. if the staff is informed as to handle a reaction, the children have epipens and benadryl and the child eats safe food this could be avoided. i have no idea why it seems like no epipen was available and the staff didn't know that the food was cooked in peanut oil. it seems like a very tragic situation that could have been avoided with a little diligence. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 01:33 PM Flag
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Maybe we should just ban eating in school entirely. Kids should just eat at home where it's safe and they're supervised by their parents. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 01:36 PM Flag
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Chinese food is easily avoided at an American school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 02:32 PM Flag
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Ya know what? All of us "NUTTY UB MOMS" (the pun wasn't lost on me) are like that so this doesn't end up to be our child's fate. If people would just recognize that this isn't munchausen syndrome and kids are deathly allergic, appropriate action would be taken place to keep these kids safe. My son went to a school where he ate at the "peanut free" table where the table was wiped down prior to lunch and an epi was with him at all times. You probably think I am nutty but trust me, it sucks for your kid when they can't eat all of the fun stuff their friends (and parents) love. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 01:31 PM Flag
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NP I am with you. We parents of kids with allergies are doing our best to protect our children while not keeping them in a bubble. Was sad about this story (very sad to hear someone is burying a child, horrible) and also thought it was rude of some UB jerkwad to make a crack about how we are all crazy for being concerned about our kids dying. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 05:05 PM Flag
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So sad. But the kid is 12 or 13? I kind of expect a 12 or 13yo to know what they can and can't eat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 01:32 PM Flag
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It's the highest risk for kids with allergies. They feel like they are invincible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 01:34 PM Flag
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Totally agree, that and the longing to be like everyone else. Those feelings are profound in a tween. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 12:00 PM Flag
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What do Chinese children with allergies do? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 02:48 PM Flag
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Their parents cook their own food at home so they can be sure what oils and ingredients go into the preparation. So yes, they eat Chinese food, but not in a Chinese restaurant. And the parents would be better able to communicate with the restaurant and understand the nuances. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 03:09 PM Flag
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NP actually, Ming Tsai (well known Chinese-American chef, runs a rest. in Boston, and has a cooking show on PBS) is pretty involved in teh food allergy community -- his son has a ton of food allergies. He obviously adapts his cooking to keep his son safe. I've read a bit about him b/c of my dd's own allergies, he sounds very cool: http://ming.com/aboutming/biography.htm [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 05:07 PM Flag
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I'm an awful person. This post is giving me the hugest Chinese food and peanuts craving... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 03:45 PM Flag
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There's probably more to this story and it doesn't really make sense for us to speculate. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.21.10, 04:03 PM Flag
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With children developing more and more allergies schools need to become tree nut/ peanut and shellfish free. You cannot risk childrens lives. It is better to safe than sorry. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.23.10, 11:09 AM Flag
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ridiculous. you need to teach your allergic children not to eat and send them with food from home. You cannot hold an entire population hostage to your problems. Sorry it's blunt but true. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 12:01 PM Flag
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Are you and your family fat? I personally don't see the need for ppl to stuff their faces in school. ESPECIALLY with all the initiave against childhood obesity. Why can't they just learn in school? Why do they need to have food orgies? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 12:09 PM Flag
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what does that have to do with anything. But no we are quite skinny. Actually we are skinny. No comparison. Kids eat lunch in school and kids have little tummies and a little snack helps them concentrate better. I love 5 small meals vs 3 meals forced up on you at specific times. I think that is unhealthy. You should never eat when you are not hungry - period. You must seat your kids at the table and force dinner down their throat or they don't get to eat later when they are hungry. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 12:29 PM Flag
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Bullshit. My DS goes to an allegedly "nut-free" school and I send peanut butter sandwiches in his lunch. No one has died as a result. Get a grip. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 12.26.10, 01:01 PM Flag
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