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Bullies use peanut butter to threaten kids with allergies

TRALEE PEARCE

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:23 AM EDT 29/04/08

Bullies threaten children with severe allergies with being touched or forced to eat food they have spent lives avoiding ...Read the full article

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  1. Kim Philby from Ottawa, Canada writes: This kind of bullying should merit the same reaction as bullying by pointing a loaded gun.
  2. Kay Ay from Canada writes: This happened to my daughter's classmate a couple of years ago (she is severely allergic to dairy, eggs, etc., etc.) when they were in grade two or three one boy in particular would threaten to put cheesies in her coat sleeves and another incident on the bus an older girl taunted her with her scarf saying it was made from 'milk fabric' or somehting equally scary to the girl and saying she was going to touch her with it.
    I don't think such threats should be ignored. And at our school they weren't.

    And parents have to keep their mouths shut at home: no complaining about not being able to send peanut butter and milk (as we have both in our class)....your kids hear it and repeat it.
  3. It Is Me from Canada writes: Kim Philby: Agreed.
  4. Lowen Wrainger from Canada writes: Dealing with meanness and possibly a criminal mind will always be a challenge.
  5. joey Bananas from victoria, Canada writes: This whole allergy thing seems overblown. Have any of these kids actually had anything happen to them when they've had crumbs or peanut butter smeared on them? How do you really test for allergies? How do kids get these allergies in the first place? When I went to school nobody had a peanut butter allergy, nobody. How can it be so common now? Something doesn't add up.

    Either there the hypochondria factor is through the roof nowadays, which it is, or there is something wrong in the diets of the parents or children with these allergies. Has there been any serious studies on this subject? I'm not sure and would like to know.

    Bullying is going to happen one way or another, this is nothing new. Though this allergy situation is new and seems kind of ridiculous to me.
  6. It Is Me from Canada writes: joey Bananas:

    Are you serious? You need to grow a brain. My 3 year old nephew is allergic to eggs. He's to young to be a hypocondriac. Two months ago at a birthday party he ate a snack and he immediately started to throuw up quite violently. I was there I saw this happen. It wa scary. When we read the wrapper, it said that the product itself had no eggs, but it was made in a facility that processed eggs. That was enough to provoke an immediate and violent reaction in him!! Imagine if he had actually eaten something with eggs! These allergies are real--small children can't fake these things. As for the cause of this sudden surge in allergies, it's kind of a mystery. Something in the environment perhpas? Something in our highly processed foods?
  7. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: ?Fortunately, aside from a few hives, her son was unscathed. But the reaction 'would have been different if my son had touched it and then his mouth, eye or nose,' Susan said.'

    Susan, if your kid is cognizant of the dangers of his allergy, yet remains in the vicinity of the allergen, then touches his mouth, eyes or nose, your kid needs to be reeducated. Wash your hands and have that epipen ready.

    Kim and Lowen: Spare us the histrionics.

    Bullying is bad? Yes. Severe allergies? My sympathies. Will banging the drum of outrage and embellishing it bring anything constructive? Not likely. How do some of these helicopter parents expect their kids to grow up and deal with LIFE if they keep coddling their kids? Learn to cope. We all did it.
  8. joey Bananas from victoria, Canada writes: Eggs are one thing... peanuts are another. I was talking about peanuts. Obviously some kids are allergic to some stuff... I just don't understand how so many kids are allergic to PEANUTS. Is it something on the peanuts?

    I realize that there are legitimate allergies, my dad's allergic to Brazil Nuts. How come so many kids are allergic to PEANUTS?
  9. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: ' My 3 year old nephew is allergic to eggs. He's to young to be a hypocondriac. Two months ago at a birthday party he ate a snack and he immediately started to throuw up quite violently. I was there I saw this happen. It wa scary.'

    Wouldn't be wiser to either make some kind of concession BEFORE going to the party and/or to arrange different meal plans? And why would he be eating a snack if he's allergic? Don't the parents monitor?!
  10. Kim Philby from Ottawa, Canada writes: joey Bananas: I read of a kid who died because some neighbor insisted the kid try her peanut butter cookies (the kid knew she had an allergy, and told the woman she didn't want a cookie, but the well-intentioned but dim-witted woman wouldn't take no for an answer). Kind of hard to fake death.
  11. It Is Me from Canada writes: Eric the Red from Uzbekistan:

    I was there, and as an uncle I also monitor.

    Plans were made, everyone in his circle of freinds is aware of his allergries. But, alas it seems you have no kids. As you yourself suggested, 'coddling' our kids can be counter-productive. You have to give them freedom and let them explore, all the while keeping a watchful eye from a distance. It's a delicate balancing act. So what happens when a parent brings a snack that has no eggs, but was made in a facility that makes eggs? Well, she made a mistake and only read the ingredients. Mistakes happen, that's why his parents always carry the epipen!! Because a mistake may happen and they may need to use it. His parents walk a fine line between wathcing EVERYTHING he does and allowing him to be free and. So a mistake happened at this party and he got an allergic reaction. This just goes to prove how dangerous and serious this issue is. Not to be taken lightly by people like you.
  12. Rick Drysdale from Canada writes: It Is Me from Canada
    Actually kids can be made into hypocondriacs by their parents.
  13. It Is Me from Canada writes: Rick Drysdale from Canada:

    Not when he's one year old and eats eggs for the first time in his life and has a violent reaction.
  14. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: 'Not to be taken lightly by people like you. '

    Spare me. 1 year has a life threatening allergy? That means you don't let him have a snack unless you can attest to it. Period. And any 'freedom' the parents are wracked over in difficulty in wanting to give their kid takes a back seat.

    'Well, she made a mistake and only read the ingredients. '

    Who's the one taking things lightly?
  15. It Is Me from Canada writes: Eric the Red from Uzbekistan:

    You can't have it both ways Mr. Eric the Red. You said it: 'How do some of these helicopter parents expect their kids to grow up and deal with LIFE if they keep coddling their kids? Learn to cope.'

    So what's it going to be? Either you coddle, over-protect your kids and or you allow them some degree of freedom. It's the fine line these parents must walk.

    In the case of my nephew (who is now 3), the mistake was done by a parent at the party. These things CAN happen, that's why they were given an epipen and told to carry it with them at ALL times. That's why there is also an epipen at his daycare centre, because a mistake can also happen there.
  16. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To Eric the Red: BINGO!!!

    The point is simple:

    Bullying is bad!

    Screaming and demanding immediate and special action because of 'special circumstances' is even worst.

    Life is NOT fair. Children with alergies and their parents need to come to terms with this fact. Sure, some precautions in school would be of common sense. HOWEVER, overblowing the issues DO NOT HELP!

    Don't belive me? Let's thake the rationale of this article a step forward; i.e. children suffering from ANY alergies should be protected at all costs in school. Fair enough. Then, you have schools that:

    1 - Disallow ALL nuts ALL seafood ALL eggs ALL breads
    2 - Disallow ALL pefrumes, deodorizers, cleaners etc (let's avoid asthma)
    3 - Disallow ALL games, ALL sharp edges, ALL sudden movements (hemophilia)
    4 - Disallow ALL exterior games (porfiria)

    And I could go on and on and on.

    SEE now how LUDICROUS it can become VERY, VERY quickly???

    Look, I am VERY sorry for your loved onew, HOWEVER, you CAN'T force everybody to behave the way YUOU want.

    Sorry. get on with it.
  17. PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Ottawa, Canada writes: Let's ban peanut butter! Works for everything else these days.
  18. james p from Canada writes: This story brought to you by the makers of Epi Pen.
  19. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: It Is Me: for the record, No offence but I find your parentspeak of 'you're not a parent' a bit tiresome. There are certain things one doesn't understand when not a parent agreed, but understanding child safety doesn't magically hit you parents through osmosis. I've met enough adults who have the dubious honour of being irresponsible parents, and I have a decade of experience myself working with young children.
  20. whatevah D from Canada writes: joey Bananas from victoria, Canada writes: This whole allergy thing seems overblown. Have any of these kids actually had anything happen to them when they've had crumbs or peanut butter smeared on them? How do you really test for allergies? How do kids get these allergies in the first place? When I went to school nobody had a peanut butter allergy, nobody. How can it be so common now? Something doesn't add up.

    Tell that to the parents whose kids have died of peanut allergies. Are you for real? You think people are faking this. People like you are dangerous; you're why these kids take allergies so lightly. I have a cat allergy and have had very frightening asthma attacks because of it. As for why it's happening... ever heard of the hygiene hypothesis?
  21. Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: The should make a special school for allergy kids and send them there. That way they won't have to worry about being bullied. Why should the rest of society suffer because one child has special needs. If you care that much home school the child. There are kids who are allergic to sunlight, maybe we should get rid of all the windows in the school too?
  22. whatevah D from Canada writes: Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: The should make a special school for allergy kids and send them there. That way they won't have to worry about being bullied. Why should the rest of society suffer because one child has special needs. If you care that much home school the child. There are kids who are allergic to sunlight, maybe we should get rid of all the windows in the school too?

    Are you serious? These kids can die!!! What's the big deal with you people not bringing peanuts to school; or for that matter, teaching your children to be empathetic people who know NOT to put another child's life at risk? It's that simple. If these kids were pulling a knife and threatening kids, would you say, oh well, deal with it. C'MON.

    PS: My son does not have an allergy (yet). He's one and I've exposed him to PB, which he has every day for breakfast. But I have no problem going nut free when he's in school if it means the life of another child. Talk about selfish!
  23. crazy fiddler from Canada writes: There is a fungus commonly found on peanuts which produces a toxin called aflatoxin. It's been shown to cause liver cancer in rats, and has been said to be the most potent chemical carcinogen ever discovered.

    It's most prevalent in peanut butter, since peanut butter is typically made from the nuts that are left over once the 'choice' ones have been removed for cocktail snack jars.

    Read 'The China Study' by T. Colin Campbell for more info.
  24. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: I had peanut butter this morning on toast.

    Be prepared to stop eating the following:

    'Crops which are frequently affected include cereals (maize, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, wheat), oilseeds (peanut, soybean, sunflower, cotton), spices (chile peppers, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, ginger), and tree nuts (almond, pistachio, walnut, coconut, brazil nut).'

    Tin foils, at the ready!
  25. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: joey Bananas, peanut allergies are deadly to people that have them. Even a TRACE of peanut butter is enough to put some adults into anaphylactic shock.
  26. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To crazy fiddler: sorry to pop your bubble, but aflatoxins are thermolabile... for those out there that are not chemists... thermolabile means they are destroyed by heat... heat such as the one used to process peanut butter...

    So... in a nutshell... nope... there are no aflatoxins in penaut butter and there should not be any if you keep it in the fridge with a closed lid (i.e. no contamination).
  27. K Ordos from Canada writes: Allergies are simply nature's answer to mankind's circumvention of natural selection. People with allergies are such squeaky wheels. 'Oh no, a cat gives me hives.' 'Oh no, a peanut can kill me!' 'Waah, oxygen makes me vomit violently.'

    Suck it up, be a man (figuratively), stay away from your allergens and be responsible for the maintenance of your own health. I have serious hay fever allergies from May to August. I get a shot and take additional meds if I need to.

    I don't piss and moan about the flowers 'coming to get me'. Don't expect other people to take up the slack for you. You guys whine louder than an NDP MLA with an environmental agenda.

    About the bullying, yeah doesn't surprise me. Kids will always find a way to pick on those they perceive as being weaker.
  28. carol c from Canada writes: Who's going to pay for these separate schools? Millions and millions of dollars, and for what? A fatal allergy is not a special need. Why is it more important that your child have a peanut butter sandwich than another child with a fatal allergy have some safety? Your attitude is ridiculous and selfish.
  29. Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: Peanut allergy people are spoiled, society shouldn't be expected to change for an individuals need. If someone wants to be able to eat a peanut butter sandwich they should be allowed too. As I said there are people who are allergic to sunlight and will get severe burns. So should we take out all the windows in a school so these kids can attend a school? Also your whole argument that kids can die, more kids die from car accidents, so maybe we should ban cars and everyone should walk? Think of how many deaths can be prevented by banning cars from North America and everyone walked. I agree that kids should be punished who bully kids with an allergy, but maybe the bullying is caused because those kids want a P&J sandwich for lunch.
  30. Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: Advice to the kids being bullied: Join baseball, and start carrying a bat everywhere you go. Don't be afraid to use it when threatened. No counter-warning or threat required - someone threatens you like this, you hit them upside the head with the bat as a response.
    See how the cowards, uh, 'bullies' treat you then.
  31. whatevah D from Canada writes: carol c from Canada writes: Who's going to pay for these separate schools? Millions and millions of dollars, and for what? A fatal allergy is not a special need. Why is it more important that your child have a peanut butter sandwich than another child with a fatal allergy have some safety? Your attitude is ridiculous and selfish.

    Finally a sane person. Thanks Carol... There are a lot of nutters on here. Excuse the pun!
  32. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: Just like with everything else, journalists make the most of an incomplete picture.

    Wanna talk about risk? FINE!

    RISK has two componenets:

    1 - Severity

    2 - Probability

    Jurnalists ALWAYS focus on severity because it sells: YOU MAY DIE!!!

    However, reality is somewhat different: Yeah, I may die... in 40 years...

    SO, no immediate action needs to be take now.

    Alergies MAY be sever, but, HOW MANY childre actually have live threatening level of alergies??? VERy, VERY few.

    If we add that to the fact that some alergens have already been banned in schools, what is the probability of a children with a life threatening level of alergy gettin into contact with the alergen??? Almost NIL!!!

    So, you are askin society to take action on an event that will ALMOST NEVER HAPPEN???

    On the basis of what MAY happen???

    Sorry. Nope. NOT on my tax dollar.

    We need HOSPITALS, not hypoallergenic schools.
  33. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: Paul, for once on God's green earth I agree with one of your posts.

    Regards.
  34. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: Advice to the kids being bullied:

    BINGO!!

    I took my kid to martial arts. Red belt and going strong.
    Funny how fast the bullying problems got resolved....
  35. whatevah D from Canada writes: K Ordos from Canada writes: Allergies are simply nature's answer to mankind's circumvention of natural selection. People with allergies are such squeaky wheels. 'Oh no, a cat gives me hives.' 'Oh no, a peanut can kill me!' 'Waah, oxygen makes me vomit violently.'

    Suck it up, be a man (figuratively), stay away from your allergens and be responsible for the maintenance of your own health. I have serious hay fever allergies from May to August. I get a shot and take additional meds if I need to.

    K Ordos. You're serious hay fever allergies aren't that serious if they haven't led to anaphylactic shock. There's a difference. PS: Cats don't give me hives; they make my throat close up and I can't breathe. Oh, but of course, that has to do with my 'weakness' right? Doesn't matter that I've never been seriously ill; or that I work out five days a week, have run several half marathons and given birth after 23 hours of labour. I'm weak because I have a cat allergy!
  36. Caroline Johnson from Canada writes: I have a son who was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at age 6, I kept him from it knowing we had a family history. My fears where brought up close and personal when the Pediatrician gave him a spoonful during testing. Violent vomiting and eventually a long stay at the hospital was the result. I see a lot of comments that this is not real, I assure you it is. My son is always made aware of the ' potential' danger that lurks, in school and with friends always wanting to share. I think the confusion lies with the fact that not all peanut/tree nut etc...allergic people have the same sensitivity . My son , at this time, vomits violently and a typical reaction will be what he felt the last time.. the problem is this could all change the next time he is exposed to it. It is such a hard this to fathom that a little nut could potentially kill. We pay close attention to wheel chair access and the rights of certain situations yet my son is being handed out chocolate Easter eggs at school with a clear warning that could have resulted in a severe to fatal reaction. My son to date this year alone has been exposed three times in school by his teachers directly. What can a parent do how do we help those to ignorant to see that this is not child's play, I have never wanted a peanut free society, just one that is aware that this allergy exists and is increasing yearly. My son deserves the right to go to school and live a normal life like anyone else without the added stress he already endures knowing that everything he eats has to be checked twice. It sucks, but please don't say that we over react and that we are hypochondriacs , the fear is real for us and our children. All I can do as a parent is make him aware of his surroundings, know how to use his epipen and that knowledge is key. Society is cruel and some adults on here making derogatory statements were probably the bullies we are talking about now when they were younger, and karma works in funny ways.
  37. Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: I never said the tax payers should pay for it, it should be a private school that if parents are worried about peanut allergies than they can pay to send their child there.
  38. R L from Canada writes: The right to not be killed/murdered outweighs the right to have fun with p.b. ... sorry to interrupt your manly toughguy bigotry with some sense. Priorities people... life & safety are more important than 'yummy in the tummy'.

    As for the people advocating that this is just natural selection and therefore who cares about the old, vulnerable, handicapped, etc., I'm guessing you vote conservative, and think that the weak should be sent off to the gas chambers like those efficient fascists of the Third Reich.
  39. whatevah D from Canada writes: Actually Timothy, most journalists have some back up for their claims, unlike you. For instance this is from the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago:

    Thirty years ago, food allergy was extremely rare. Today, 4.3 million U.S. children suffer from the life-threatening condition. In fact, the number of children suffering with peanut allergy alone has doubled in five years – and the numbers continue to grow.

    where are your numbers?
  40. Ed Long from white Rock, Canada writes: Helicopter society, never mind parents.

    I saw a school put down small stones opposed to grass ... allergies, maintenance, blah, blah....

    It's now a beautiful lawn playground.

    I had honestly not heard of the peanut allergy until I was in my thirties and people began demanding nut free meals.

    No doubt some type of allergy exists.

    I just Wiki ed Peanut Allergies and the CDC in the US reports approx. 12 - 20 total food allergy related deaths in the US in 2007. One famous case of suspect peanut allergy death, Christina Desforges in 2005, turned out to be asthma linked respiratory failure from exposure to second hand smoke.
  41. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: Wow. Some of the posters are so ignorant, not to mention selfish, that I don't know where to begin.

    Peanut allergies can kill. Hay fever doesn't always kill. Children are children and watching them 24/7 is going to be impossible. Especially when bullies are allowed to get away with putting allergans in their food or on their skin. The point here is bullies. Perhaps bullies who think the same as the bunch here - that people who have allergies are 'faking it' or are 'whiny babies'. Grow up and let others grow up without harassment from you. Not eating peanut butter in school or office won't kill you.

    Last I checked, Toomas, peanut butter was not a necessity. Cars are. Knives are. You think bullying is caused because the poor kids are deprived? LOL. Thanks for a laugh.
  42. whatevah D from Canada writes: Caroline Johnson:

    Your story is one of my fears. My heart goes out to you. All the best to you and your son.
  43. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: 'or that I work out five days a week, have run several half marathons and given birth after 23 hours of labour.'

    Doesn't that qualify you as 'average' or 'normal', like 500 million other people on this earth, give or take a few hundred thousands?
  44. whatevah D from Canada writes: Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: 'or that I work out five days a week, have run several half marathons and given birth after 23 hours of labour.'

    Doesn't that qualify you as 'average' or 'normal', like 500 million other people on this earth, give or take a few hundred thousands?

    Right, but having a cat allergy does not make me weak either, does it?
  45. crazy fiddler from Canada writes: '...All twenty-nine jars of peanut butter we had purchased in the local groceries, for example, were contaminated, with levels of AF as much as 300 times the amount judged to be acceptable in U.S. food. Whole peanuts were much less contaminated: none exceeded the AF amounts allowed in U.S. commodities...'

    from 'The China Study', by T. Colin Campbell.

    Timothy Nessus: I'm no scientist, but this guy has made it his life's work to study this stuff. I think I'll err on the side of caution...
  46. john gordon from Canada writes: Never in my life have I read such idiotic postings as on this thread. The sad thing is that most, I believe, are not being made tongue in cheek. How could anyone argue, deny, challenge the fact that allergies are serious and children can actually die from the exposure? Yes, parents and adults must take on responsibility however is it so much to ask for community support?
    These are not lepers, they are children. Give them a chance.
  47. CD W from Canada writes: In ontario they try to ban peanut butter and nuts, it is a staple food for many cultures, so leave off, and stop frightening your children about the epi pen, it works.
  48. Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: You are absolutely correct R L, except for one point in your comment, I wouldn't use a gas chamber, the carbon tax would probably cost me a fortune. I am sure there is more economical alternative though.
  49. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To Caroline Johnson: I feel your pain. I understand you. I think you have the right approach. HOWEVER, please note, LIFE IS UNFAIR. LIFE IS THOUGH.
    Bottom line is that society as a whole has a LIMITED supply of goods and services. If we spend them here we can't spend them there. It is THAT cruel. Sorry, but so is life.
    Does it make sense to increase the level of restriction of possible alergens in school and concomitantly using resources that could be used elsewhere? No.
    No becaue the probability of damage being inflicted to society is almost NIL. Now, please note, I did not say that NO member of a society will suffer any harm. That may happen. That will probably happen. All I am saying is that the same resources will do much, much more good for more people elsewhere.... If the jack-a**es of our politicians do not squander it all!
  50. whatevah D from Canada writes: Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To Caroline Johnson: I feel your pain. I understand you. I think you have the right approach. HOWEVER, please note, LIFE IS UNFAIR. LIFE IS THOUGH.
    Bottom line is that society as a whole has a LIMITED supply of goods and services. If we spend them here we can't spend them there. It is THAT cruel. Sorry, but so is life.

    what a load of BS.
  51. J.C. Davies from Canada writes:
    'crazy fiddler from Canada writes: There is a fungus commonly found on peanuts which produces a toxin called aflatoxin. It's been shown to cause liver cancer in rats, and has been said to be the most potent chemical carcinogen ever discovered. '

    Well we now know the first half of your moniker is accurate.
  52. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To: crazy fiddler
    Again... just because somebody wrote a book it means nothing. The entry you make reference to has NO statistical validity. Were all the jars purchased in the same supermarket, same brand, same batch? Daaa... sh*t happens. Food gets contaminated ALL the time. Just NOT ON AVERAGE.
    Our AVERAGE food supply IS OK, aflatoxins-wise.

    You mentioned that you rather be safe than sorry, OK, OR... if you are SO afraid, just warm-up the pb to 100 C (i.e. boiling water) for 15 minutes and PRESTO! Aflatoxines be gone!
  53. Ed Long from white Rock, Canada writes: As a context to my earlier message, the Centre for Disease Control, estimates that food borne diseases cause 76 Million illnesses, 325,000 hospital visits, and 5000 deaths.

    Compared to an estimate of 12 to 20 total food allergy deaths with the most publicized peanut allergy death being asthma and second hand smoke.

    'Mommy, mommy, mommy the teacher gave me food! She's abusing me! Call the police! ,,,,

    Best to raise your kids in a sensory deprivation tank with an IV drip of refined nutrients.
  54. Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: How about children who are vegeans and eat peanuts for a source of protein? There are many vegetarians who get their main source of protein from nuts. LOL it is also laughable that cars are more important than nuts, cars are a disease on our society. The world would be a much better place without cars, so many problems in society would be solved.
  55. One Mom from Canada writes: If one child bops another in the nose, causing it to bleed, is that bullying? Do the school administrators and parents need to be informed? What if it requires the office staff/nurse (ha!) to give medical attention? Should the parents be brought into the situation for review then? If it were my kid - the bullied or the hurt one - I would absolutely want to know what happened to create a situation where one child purposely hurt another. I would also want the administration to address the situation with all parties, which is challenging because not only are there children and safety issues here, there are parents who, as everyone knows, can be difficult to deal with when it comes to the safety of their kids. But that's their job, so they still need to be brought in. My child was bullied with food. My child needed medication and the school didn't want to give it so they called me because they wanted my child sent home. They 'let his nose bleed' and I was supposed to be ok with that, in a situation that could have quickly turned life-threatening! This incident was framed as something that we should just deal with as part of our allergy world; shockingly, we were told the other child was no bully and was simply testing age-appropriate limits and we were overreacting and needed to move on. And not only did the admin tell us to chill, they also failed to bring up with this incident the other family, further leaving my child at risk. We packed up and left the school - we did move on. It is within my child's rights to attend school in a safe environment. As another person said, bullying is bad. Period. Schools need to deal with all kinds of bullying, because we want ALL our kids at school to be fully educated and SAFE. Period.
  56. jill of all trades from Ottawa, Canada writes: I'm allergic to bees (yes - it's deadly) and I won't be satisfied until every bee in this country (and possibly North America, since a US bee could sting me on the border) is destroyed. You want honey or beeswax? You want to cross-pollenate crops? Too bad!! My needs are clearly more important than yours since mine have deadly consequences. Bring out the fumigaters! Immediately!! Oh - I'm sorry - are you allergic or environmentally sensitive to pesticides? Well, too bad. Because my allergies trump your allergies. And I'm more important.... To me.
  57. jill of all trades from Ottawa, Canada writes: I'm allergic to bees (yes - it's deadly) and I won't be satisfied until every bee in this country (and possibly North America, since a US bee could sting me on the border) is destroyed. You want honey or beeswax? You want to cross-pollenate crops? Too bad!! My needs are clearly more important than yours since mine have deadly consequences. Bring out the fumigaters! Immediately!! Oh - I'm sorry - are you allergic or environmentally sensitive to pesticides? Well, too bad. Because my allergies trump your allergies. And I'm more important.... To me.
  58. Kay Ay from Canada writes: So some of you really don't take these allergies seriously?
    You think the hospital emergency visits are no big deal: adult doses of benedryl (for the 7 yr old down the street) and two missed days of school as recovery are her problem. 'Just have an epi-pen ready?' is a joke?
    This is my daughter's classmate & friend I am talking about.
    I don't think she deserves to die just because she's allergic to something inconvenient.
    I think she and all others with severe allergies deserve to live as much like children as possible with ALL OF US caring about their well being.
  59. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: I have to wonder how things were 50 years ago regarding bullying.

    Didn't the boomers who now complain about bullying settle things out after school? Isn't that how George McFly did it in Back to the Future with Biff??
  60. Home E. D'Clown from Canada writes: Joey Bananas and Timothy Nessus....you are idiots. Ignorant, knuckle-dragging idiots.

    Oh and by the way, Mr. Nessus, your suggestion to ban all 'prefumes' to protect my loved 'onew' from what I can't force 'YUOU' to do clearly demonstrates that they must have banned spelling lessons in your school.

    Allergies or spelling? As you may ask, which is 'worst'?

    Howe cann you exspect anywun to tak yuou seriussly when yuou cant evene comunacate at a forth grade levil?
  61. Craig Cooper from Toronto, writes: I propose a billion dollar peanut butter registry.
  62. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To: whatevah D 'what a load of BS'

    Ah...OK... and your rational arguments are???

    NOPE??

    Thought so...
  63. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: Dear Home E. D'Clown.

    Your name says it all.

    Oh.. re: my spelling... keyboard is not working. Would you like to donate for an improved version?

    NOPE?

    Thought so.
  64. Caroline Johnson from Canada writes: To Timothy:
    I hear what you are saying.. as a young mom and an active one in my community as a whole I want to hear all avenues of approach. I don't feel at this time that it is necessary to erect a peanut free school or segregated children in a school situation, I feel each school is responsible for the children it houses. Like I said some children have a very scary sensitivity that needs special attention, that warrants a bit more than a ' Nut Aware Zone' in their school. Our school is aware of our situation and I assure you it costs nothing to make your teachers and staff aware of the consequences if they expose them... the problem with me is they are. Like I said , three times this year my son was handed items that had warning labels and although he should have known NOT to take them, he did. He is only six and the teacher is suppose to be his safe guard or is she/he. Where does the risk end for us. It's funny that handicapped people have to right (and so they should) to sue someone for not having proper access to a building yet I have to repeatedly go to the principal and explain that my son has been exposed again by a teacher and that his life could have been lost..... LOST not for a week or a year.... FOREVER.
    This is the upsetting part of it for me and it brings me to tears, and god forbid it ever happen to anyone, but imagine Timothy waking up every morning and seeing your beautiful child's face and hearing them laugh and play and as your sending them out the door you think to yourself, 'does he have his epipen ? ' and you continue , all the while thinking will today be the day you get the call, will this beautiful day end here with a silly incident that could have been avoided. I live that fear daily. I strongly feel that education is the only way to empower these children and adults and keep them safe, but what good is all this when society still sees them as a joke and is unwilling to make slight changes to improve their way of living.
  65. crazy fiddler from Canada writes: Timothy Nessus: If our 'average food supply is ok, aflotoxin-wise', why are so many people deathly allergic to peanuts?

    By the way, my understanding is that it was 29 different samples, from 29 different groceries. Please, since you are an expert - and I am not, nor do I purport to be - I would love to read the results of your own, independent scientific study.

    J.C. Davies, I'm just quoting a Ph.D who has been focussed on the comprehensive study of nutrition for the past 40 years. What are your sources?
  66. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: Toomas Parratt from Canada writes: How about children who are vegeans and eat peanuts for a source of protein? There are many vegetarians who get their main source of protein from nuts. LOL it is also laughable that cars are more important than nuts, cars are a disease on our society. The world would be a much better place without cars, so many problems in society would be solved.
    ______________________________________________________

    They can eat peanuts at home and still get ample nutrition. There is no need to take that to school where other kids' health is put in danger. I am a vegetarian. I have never* taken anything with nuts to school or work. Again, nut allergy can be *fatal. There are other sources of protein (like beans).

    As for the statement about cars, that was in response to the idea of banning cars. Like it or not, cars are a necessity now. Peanuts are not.
  67. Vickky Angstrom from Canada writes: The desire to 'blame the victim' has clearly overwhelmed many posters to this thread. Once again people are harping about their 'rights' instead of their 'responsibilities'. It is no hardship to make a school peanut free, and it is no hardship to keep an eye out for threats to any child's health.

    The real hardship is that parents have to live with the knowledge that, at some point, it is highly likely that their allergic child will die suddenly from exposure, having, just this once, forgotten their epi-pen. Living with anyone you love and knowing that their days are numbered is awful. How much worse it must be when that person is a vital, loving, otherwise healthy and joyful child.

    Are we so mere that we begrudge this tiny inconvenience to support parents and their beloved children? How did some of you get so small? Are you afraid you might run out of love so you have to budget it? What are you saving your love and generosity of spirit for? Your funeral?

  68. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: jill of all trades from Ottawa, Canada writes: I'm allergic to bees (yes - it's deadly) and I won't be satisfied until every bee in this country (and possibly North America, since a US bee could sting me on the border) is destroyed. You want honey or beeswax? You want to cross-pollenate crops? Too bad!! My needs are clearly more important than yours since mine have deadly consequences. Bring out the fumigaters! Immediately!! Oh - I'm sorry - are you allergic or environmentally sensitive to pesticides? Well, too bad. Because my allergies trump your allergies. And I'm more important.... To me.
    ____________________________________________________
    Jill, do you want to put some thought in what you write? Is banning peanuts from school (i.e. not allowing kids to bring peanut products to school) anywhere similar to bees (which no one in their right mind would bring to school)? And is anyone allergic to the lack of peanuts? Seems like you are implying that people who don't eat peanuts while at school/work will suffer due to the ban. Get a grip.
  69. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: 'Like it or not, cars are a necessity now.'

    Please. I've never owned a car, and I manage more than fine in the city. Grew up without one, 2 siblings, lived downtown, we biked or walked.
  70. Jennifer R from Ottawa, Canada writes: Has anyone ever wondered if there is a connection between the increase in food allergies & the number of scented products in the average home? A friend of my Mom's had so many scented products from dish soap to air freshener & had terrible allergies. He doctor suggested getting rid of all of them & fmost of her allergies have cleared up. If people stopped using them we might see a drop in the number of children who are born or develop alleriges. I do not remember anyone having food allergies growing up in the early 80s when the number of scented products was small.
  71. J Bond from Canada writes: As an adult with a severe peanut allergy (and I assure you, it is not something I dreamt up or blew out of proportion), I do my best to make the allergy my problem and not impose it on others. I avoid places that have open peanuts around (hockey arenas, bars with open barrels of nuts etc.). I would find this avoidance difficult if one of my co-workers was threatening to shove a spoonful of peanut butter down my throat. Thankfully, it's not a problem I generally have to worry about...apparently this is not so for these children.

    The nature of lunch time in classrooms disallows children to take themselves out of potentially dangerous situations as easily as adults can. Many of the people on this board seem to have forgotten this. Children don't have to be 'coddled', but extra vigilance is necessary to make sure they aren't hurt by foolish childhood pranks.
  72. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: Eric, I did not say cars are needed by every single person (I don't own one either - I walk to work and take the trains/bike etc.). But for a lot of people, they are needed. Think. Please.

    Since when is peanut butter a necessity like that? Will someone starve without a PB sandwich? I doubt it.
  73. Kelly L from AntigonishNS, Canada writes: Yeah this actually happened to me in university not me directly, but let me explain.

    My computer was busted and my friend let me use his. Well I had access with a spare key to his residence room.

    When I wrapped my hand around the door knob I felt something underneath and someone smeared peanut butt under the door knob.

    If in these cases it can be proven who did it and they knew the individual was in face allergic they should be charged with assault causing bodily harm. Bottom line.
  74. jill of all trades from Canada writes: anonymouse Z - I guess you haven't learned the art of thought-provoking debate and instead have to resort to insults. Wow - do YOU ever put any thought into what you write? I guess your passion interfered with your ability to make a cogent argument. I was merely playing devil's advocate in the very hierarchical world of competing disadvantages. And, yes, I do have a life-threatening allergy. Why is my request to have bees eradicated anywhere near me, my home or the place where my children play (since they, too, may be allergic) any different than those of the other allergics (including peanuts, eggs, seafood, and the myriad other substances that will kill people)? Maybe you wouldn't be so dismissive of the argument if you shared the same allergy? BTW - I'm, for obvious reasons, sympathetic with those who share the allergy issue. However - what is reasonable? Are we supposed to change the world to meet the needs of a slim minority? Where does it end? And who gets to make that decision? I sure hope it's not you.
  75. Timothy Nessus from Somewhere, Canada writes: To crazy fiddler: 'why are so many people deathly allergic to peanuts?'

    Aflatoxins have absolutely, unquestionably, definitively NOTHING to do with alergies. What people are alergic to is a protein in the peanut.

    Aflatoxins cause cancer but, unfortunately, people are NOT alergic to them.

    Re: what is my independent study? the 'I'm just quoting a Ph.D who has been focussed on the comprehensive study of nutrition for the past 40 years' means nothing to me.

    What was published? Was it peer-reviewed? What was this person's PhD on (oh... and I do have a PhD). Any confilicts of interests? Any vested interests? Also, 29 samples seem very, very low to me for a statistical assessment. 29 samples where? tested by whom? Is there a commonality among the smaples? Where from the same brand? Same batch? Picked at the nearby physical location? Is the an environemntal condition in such location that would foster such contamination (e.g. heat) if such contamination was indeed measured properly? Please note, aflatoxins are NOT easy to determine in the lab. We are talking ppb levels (i.e. Parts-Per-Billion). So, in a nutshel, nope. I do not give credit to unsubstantiated claims.
  76. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: anonymouse:

    'Think please?' Give a break. All I'm doing is quoting your posts. You want me to quote better give me better source material!
  77. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: Reminds me of muggers who threaten with a dirty needle to get your money.

    I volunteer at my daughter's elementary school, and just lost some of MY innocence reading about such behaviour in her age group. I have seen no such behaviour, and all the parents know the school is nut-free, so to bring peanut butter into school as a weapon would draw the parents into the principal's office for a meeting. Unlike many of the posters on this board, the children and parents have been educated about allergies.
  78. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: So Eric, you can't apparently think how a post is written. Nor use logic. So here's a clear post. Nut allergies kill. You don't suffer in any material way if you don't eat nuts while at school or work. I did notice that you conveniently ignored the rest of the post.
  79. Joe Public from Toronto, Canada writes: How did this comment stream focus exclusively on the peanut allergy issue and completely move away from the issue of bullying? I thought that was the original intention of the article before all the armchair Darwinists decided to bless us with their two cents.

    A child (or adult) with a severe allergy to anything has a right not to be bullied or threatened with it, in the same way I have a right not to be threatened with a knife, or a gun, or any other weapon.

    The issue of what we should or should not ban in schools, or whether allergic kids should be in a special school, is a whole other argument that doesn't resolve the bullying issue. Think about it: kids aren't allowed to bring knives and guns to school as we speak, but it still happens.
  80. lonely painter from Calgary, Canada writes: Holy crap! The commenters in this article disgust me! I'm an adult and have dealt with a severe allergy to peanuts my whole life. My boyfriend can't even eat anything with peanuts because if he kisses me, I will go into anaphylatic shock and stop breathing. It's happened before. One peanut butter cookie in the morning, a kiss at lunch and I was in the hospital soon after. Lucky for me that I can usually tell if peanuts are in something just by smelling it (smells like bleach, burns my nose), but when I was a child I didn't have such a talent. Even nowadays, sugar will mask the smell for me and on occasion I have partially swallowed something with peanuts in it, only to regurgitate it back up again a few seconds later. Oops there goes another epi-pen... I seriously hope that if I ever accidentally ingest something with peanuts and need a stranger's help to administer my epi-pen, none of you whack jobs who think I'm 'faking it' will be around. Lord knows you'll think I'm faking death too and I'm just DYING to get your attention. Oh yeah, and don't forget that I happily shell out 300 dollars every time I need a new set of epi-pens that health care won't cover because I have nothing better to spend the money on. Yeah right. Get a grip. I hope you're all blessed with children or grandchildren with a severe nut allergy so you can all understand the seriousness of this issue.
  81. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: anonymouse:

    I could care less about your allergy crusade, hence my not responding to them. How's that for logic?

    'You don't suffer in any material way if you don't eat nuts while at school or work.'

    Sigh. I stand by my initial post where I said I was sympathetic for allergy sufferers. Life is hard. Eveyrone has their issues which bring about discomfort, pain and even worse. Do I think you deserve more attention than someone else? Do you bleat the same rhetoric when 'save the children' ads come on tv? What about kids in Darfur? If anything, the most you prattle on about your own problems, the more self-serving you sound, which is what everyone on this board is telling you.

    If you can't handle people calling BS on your ballpark sweeping posts about cars, then stfu before you post? That's my standard answer for people who whine when others call them on sh!te posts.
  82. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: 'Joe Public from Toronto, Canada writes: How did this comment stream focus exclusively on the peanut allergy issue and completely move away from the issue of bullying?'

    Funny how that came about - could that have to do with promotion of self-serving agenda under the guise of 'education'?
  83. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: jill of all trades from Canada writes: anonymouse Z - I guess you haven't learned the art of thought-provoking debate and instead have to resort to insults. Wow - do YOU ever put any thought into what you write? I guess your passion interfered with your ability to make a cogent argument. I was merely playing devil's advocate in the very hierarchical world of competing disadvantages. And, yes, I do have a life-threatening allergy. Why is my request to have bees eradicated anywhere near me, my home or the place where my children play (since they, too, may be allergic) any different than those of the other allergics (including peanuts, eggs, seafood, and the myriad other substances that will kill people)? Maybe you wouldn't be so dismissive of the argument if you shared the same allergy? BTW - I'm, for obvious reasons, sympathetic with those who share the allergy issue. However - what is reasonable? Are we supposed to change the world to meet the needs of a slim minority? Where does it end? And who gets to make that decision? I sure hope it's not you. _______________________________________________________ Jill, I am sure you have seen the other posts that dismiss a potentially life threatening allergy. I am sympathetic to your allergy as much as theirs. However, eliminating all bees is kind of difficult, don't you think? Especially when you compare it to the ability to eliminate nuts in school (by a simple request to all the parents and careful planning of what foods are allowed in the cafeteria). It's the difference between what we can or can't control. By suggesting something just about impossible to achieve and comparing relatively easy and cheap peanut bans to it, you trivialized someone else's allergies. And your comment about one allergy trumping another. Is someone allergic to lack of peanuts while at work or school? Didn't sound much thought provoking.
  84. David Rouleau from Canada writes: The Spartans handled this problem quite simply...wash the newborn males in wine and leave them exposed to the elements (for what period of time is a matter of conjecture). If they survived they became formidable warriors... if not...they did not become a burden on society. I know is sounds cruel but it sure worked. Cheers!
  85. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: Eric, read Toomas's post at 11:51 which is what I was responding to. If you can't follow the thread, that's hardly my problem.

    If you can't handle someone calling your BS for what it is, tough. You will have to live with it. WTF has Darfur or STC got to do with this? And precisely what is 'everyone on this board' telling me? Try to read before you spout nonsense.
  86. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: David: isn't your post ignorant of people with wine allergies....just saying..
  87. jill of all trades from Canada writes: Re-read, mouse.... I never said that anyone was allergic to a lack of peanuts. Where did you get that from? You still sound pretty flippant to me - must be nice to be able to decide what's 'difficult' and what's 'easy' so quickly. The best argument against peanut bans was made to me by my friend who is also a parent. He said that peanut bans give kids/adults a false sense of security regarding the 'real world' and their vulnerability. People with severe, life-threatening allergies should ALWAYS prepare for the worst.
  88. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: jill of all trades:

    'He said that peanut bans give kids/adults a false sense of security regarding the 'real world' and their vulnerability. People with severe, life-threatening allergies should ALWAYS prepare for the worst. '

    BANG ON. Anonymouse, how you like them apples? Read between the lines: having an allergy doesn't make you any more special than other people with issues. Move along now and go post your rhetoric on http://peanutfree.blogspot.com.
  89. Rob Katzer from Victoria, Canada writes: I'm 45, and have had a severe nut/peanut butter allergy since age 2. I've had many a reaction that has required emergency treatment and sometimes hospitalization. Mine triggers my asthma.

    The situation described is serious and possiblel. Allergic reactions are more prevalent than we were kids (possibility due to breakdowns in our immune systems due to chemicals -- don't know)

    When I was in elementary school, some of the kids were thugs. Occasionally they would eat peanut butter and breathe directly in my face. Or deliberately open peanut bags near me.

    Sometimes, it would trigger a minor reaction, causing swelling in my throat and make it difficult to breathe. Given that everyone is different, perhaps there are people whose reactions are more intense or immediate than mine

    Schools take them far more seriously now than they did when I went to school. Should they go as far as they seem to, I don't know.

    But would you like to be the one who had to speak to the parent of a kid who died because of allergic reactions that can be traced to bullying?

    Joey Bananas, your reaction is based on not knowing the consequences.
  90. carol c from Canada writes: The logic to those opposed to limiting places where peanuts are available seems to be, we need to teach kids that life is hard. It's a bit difficult to teach dead children though.

    There are all kinds of limitations to personal freedom for the benefit of society as a whole, and I really don't see the issue with this one.
  91. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: Jill: I have reread your post and it still doesn't come across as 'thought provoking'. Rather, it comes across as 'I have another allergy that can kill and yet I survive'.

    I am not saying people with severe allergies should not prepare for the worst. I am saying that other people should be much more aware of it and be considerate. It really isn't difficult for me to prepare a lunch without allergans so I don't put my colleagues' lives in danger.

    Eliminating all bees from the world (considering how many species of animals are brought in from Asia/Africa etc.) is far more difficult compared to a simple peanut ban at schools. How is that 'flippant'? How long should it take to figure that out?

    BTW, do you always resort to petty name calling?
  92. Tommy Shanks from Canada writes: I am enjoying the gooey goodness of a peanut butter and jam sandwich for lunch right now. Yummmm, delicioso.

    As for the rise in the incidence of allergies, let's face it, humans are getting weaker as a species. Cancer rates have doubled in a generation. Allergies that were unheard off a generation ago are now prevalent throughout western civilization. Our technological capacity cannot defeat the evolutionary process, and may in fact be culprit to our collective inability to resist things that cockroaches are impervious to. Ironic how this is not as much of a problem in the third world.
  93. anonymouse Z from Canada writes: Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: jill of all trades: ... BANG ON. Anonymouse, how you like them apples? Read between the lines: having an allergy doesn't make you any more special than other people with issues. Move along now and go post your rhetoric on http://peanutfree.blogspot.com.
    _________________________________________________

    Eric, grow up and stop ASSuming you know someone. IF you can read, read the posts by people here who are allergic and have had severe reactions.

    FYI: I am not allergic to anything.
  94. Sue H from Etobicoke, Canada writes: To all the heartless, thoughtless commenters out there - life threatening allergies are very real and they are on the rise. Medical science is trying to figure it out as fast as they can. Ditto for autism and asthma.

    So get a grip and teach your kids to treat others the same way they would like others to treat them. While you're at it, teach them how to give up their seat on the bus to an older or disabled person too. There's no excuse for bullying. Period.

    These links provide lots of allergy info, click the second link to see just how big the issue is and how seriously it is being taken.
    http://www.anaphylaxis.org/ http://www.anaphylaxis.org/content/whatis/related_links.asp
  95. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: According to Statistics Canada, there were 6 deaths due to food anaphylaxis in 1997 and 8 in 1998 in Canada (posted Oct 29th, 2000). Attempts to obtain from Statistics Canada figures for subsequent years were unsuccessful because coding of deaths following WHO guidelines at this point in time cannot specify any deaths caused by anaphylaxis whether related to foods or other causes. (posted Jan 23d, 2004)

    Carol: I think comments like yours (It's a bit difficult to teach dead children though) play on the fears of parents and are fearmongering more so than education. I'm sure the prevalance of epi-pens along with the fact that

    elementary schools post pictures of children with specific allergens in the office and staff rooms along with contact info readily available

    goes a long way to help alleviate the issue. My friends who are teachers in schools cannot bring fish, nuts, almonds, and a host of other foods because ONE kid has an allergy.

    Spare everyone the fearmongering.
  96. One of Many from Toronto, Canada writes: Great comment and great comparison by David Rouleau. In Nazi Germany they also measured skulls and people that did not fit “arian&8221; standards were destroyed in concentration camps. How about that&8230;
  97. Hugh Draper from Vancouver, Canada writes:
    Children are a reflection of their parents.
  98. Caroline Johnson from Canada writes: David:

    What are you saying??? smear them in P.B and leave them to the elements and see if they survive...hahhhahaha you are kidding right?
    I agree this post has gotten so out of control and off topic that it isn't even a worthy cause anymore.
    For me it's educate, what else can one do. Children bully and that is life yes, but it has gotten more extreme as with everything else this world ingests it seems life is not enough to cease and exists. People use real threats to make a point, be in PB or a gun ect... these kids now right from wrong and they should be held accountable no matter what. Zero tolerance should be the norm in all schools when it comes to bullying that way the message is clear to all students.
    Any one item could be a potential threat and for us PB is a real one for our son. I always tell my children to treat others the way they want to be treated and they take that to heart... to many parents don't give two hoots about their kids and where they are, ' Oh kids will be kids' ect.. and it shows in their family situation. Where is the love people, family is all we got , and you got one chance to make it right the first time. Just for the record if I was to hear that my child bullied another in any way form or fashion I'd make darn sure that it was dealt with swiftly and without further incident.
  99. carol c from Canada writes: K Ordos, so a kindergarden student, who may not be literate should know what products contain peanuts? It's their responsibility to do so? It's also their responsiblity to always have accessable medication available should an accident occur? A kindergarden aged child? We as a society have no responsibility towards this child and their health? Why?
  100. Sean L. from Toronto Center, Canada writes: I'm allergic to David Miller. Can we ban him?
  101. L. C. from Canada writes: Nothing we can do about it. Education from parents are soooooooooooooo different from family to family. There is no such unified parenting skill people would happy to adapt. Parents' education backgroup, Houshold Income, and pass experience might differ many end results.
  102. Eric the Red from Uzbekistan writes: K Ordos: Amen.
  103. Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: Sad commentary on the stae of our schools and parenting. It just seems the kids have found a way to disciple their teachers and their parents.