Schools Take Steps To Combat Food Allergies

The Chicago Tribune (1/26, Ahmed-Ullah) reports, "Even as schools across Illinois put the finishing touches on new state-mandated food allergy policies, some health care advocates question whether they go far enough to keep children safe. The debate is especially strong in Chicago, where the death of a seventh-grader who suffered an allergic reaction reportedly to food served at a classroom party last month prompted public schools officials to re-examine their proposed policy even before it was adopted." According to the Tribune, "Even if the board approves the policy Wednesday, Chicago Public Schools officials will continue looking at issues ranging from districtwide peanut bans to whether an epinephrine injection could be given to any student suffering a severe allergic reaction at school, whether or not the potentially lifesaving hormone has been prescribed for that child."