Environmental health officer urges schools to educate on allergens
08 Oct 2020
Kirstie Jones, environmental health officer at Navitas Safety, has urged school and education leaders to protect children from other food-related risks.
In the UK an estimated 7% of children suffer from a food allergy. While some reactions can be treated, some can be more severe or even fatal.
Jones commented: “Education on allergens and food safety should ultimately form part of the national school curriculum. Children learn best when they are young and learned behaviours can influence lifelong habits and routines.
“Therefore, knowing the basics of food safety at an early age will not only protect children from tragic accidents while young but also stand them in good stead to ensure they do not fall foul to food poisoning later in life, too.”
Jones has suggested four key tips for schools to follow to help keep children safe from food allergies:
- Make information digestible for children: Use a traffic light system- red= Allergies, amber= may contain allergies, green= free from allergies.
- Creative communication: Use videos and quizes to help children learn about allergens.
- Teaching is a team effort: In order for information to be retained by children it must be reinforced by teachers, parents and lunchtime supervisors.
- Help yourself: Daily routes should be supported with fool-proof aids to minimise the chance of any accidents.