CDC Rolls Out New Food Allergy Guidelines for Schools to Follow

It's a great day for parents of children with good allergies - the federal government is issuing its first guidelines to schools on how to protect children with food allergies.

The new guidelines, posted online Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inform schools on ways to raise awareness of food allergies, how to train faculty and staff members, recommendations for school cafeteria workers, and what to do when a child has an allergic reaction.

Most significantly, the new guidelines ensure emergency allergy medicine - like EpiPens - are readily available for use should a child have anaphylaxis. Children with severe food allergies are to provide "at least one or two" epi-pen injectors prescribed to their child by a doctor, and schools are responsible for storing them in an accessible place and training staff in their use.

Fifteen states and many school districts already have guidelines in place, but the CDC recommendations "are now the gold standard," says John Lehr, chief executive officer of Food Allergy Research & Education, an advocacy group based in McLean, Va. The group was among those who worked on the guidelines with federal health officials.

The guidelines released Wednesday were required by a 2011 federal law.

Other CDC recommendations include:

- Offer allergy-friendly seating arrangements in the classroom and cafeteria, such as a "Peanut-Free table"

- Avoid using identified allergens for class projects and parties, and use nonfood incentives for prizes, gifts and awards.

- Avoid ordering food from restaurants in case of unrecognized allergens.

- Help children with food allergies read food labels so they can avoid foods that trigger their allergies.

- Do not exclude children with food allergies from activities like field trips, recess or gym class.