Jordan's teacher spotted a Twinkie or Joe Louie being removed from a knapsack at the beginning of the class and removed it from the class. [Child is milk allergic.]

Lucy

During recess, my son went to his supply teacher to complain that he had severe stomach cramps. She asked him if he had eaten anything. When he replied that he had just eaten cookies from home, she escorted him to the school office. As his anaphylaxis alert was posted in his classroom and is placed up front in the teacher's Day Book, she knew immediately that this could potentially be an allergic reaction. I picked Julian up from school, after receiving a call from the office, and monitored him at home. The reaction was mild, and did not progress beyond stomach cramps.

Lesson Learned: It pays to reinforce key things with your child and have a good system in place at the school. Julian knew to get help right away and the supply teacher was alert to his condition because of the anaphylaxis posters on the wall and in the Day Book. This was also a lesson in making sure that I know the manufacturer better. In a call to the company later that day, a manager advised me that the cookies were run on a shared line with many other goods that contain tree nuts, but that the line is "wiped down" between runs. (There is no "may contain" warning on the label.) This description of their cleaning process did not leave me confident about their procedure to reduce the risk of cross-contact. My feeling was that there was a nut particle in one of the cookies.

Laurie

The teacher at the previous school asked all my son's classmates to place their Halloween candy in a bag and take them home. No eating at school. I was so impressed that I sent a decorative pencil for each child as a thank you but the teacher said it was unnecessary as it comes naturally for the children to protect my son.

Unsigned

Recently, I purchased a packaged lunch, which I thought I had previously purchased and read the label. My son's teacher noticed the label with "may contain peanuts". The dessert portion was different - instead of hard candy, it contained chocolates. The teacher sent the package back home with coloured paper and large print. I felt terrible. I am normally very careful with reading labels. I must take my time in the grocery store. My son handed me the package in the store.

Lesson Learned: I must be 100% certain myself.

Unsigned

One day, after just a few mouthfuls of a bologna sandwich, my son started to complain of stomach cramps. When I rechecked the label, I realized that I had not looked at it carefully enough. It contained soy protein isolate, something that he must avoid, as he is allergic to soy.

Lesson Learned: I had been in a hurry when I purchased this product. Usually, I double-check new items at home just to make sure that I have not overlooked something. This time, I was in a hurry and did not check the label again. It's worth the extra minute to take that step both at the store and at home again.

Laurie