Definitions
Special dietary needs include food intolerances, allergies, and other medical needs that may require avoidance of specific foods.
Food allergies are abnormal responses of the body's immune system to certain foods or ingredients.
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity to a substance and may be caused by a food allergy. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, difficulty talking or swallowing, hives, itching, swelling, shock, or asthma. (Education Code 49414)
Epinephrine auto-injector is a disposable drug delivery system with a spring-activated needle that is designed for emergency administration of epinephrine to provide rapid, convenient first aid for persons suffering a potentially fatal reaction to anaphylaxis. (Education Code 49414)
Notification by Parent/Guardian
The parents/guardians of any student who has a known food allergy or other special dietary need shall notify the County Superintendent or designee, in writing, and provide written medical documentation, signed by the student's health care provider, that describes the nature of the student's condition, instructions, and necessary medications. If the student's condition requires food substitutions or modifications in school meals, the written statement shall also describe the specific foods to be restricted and the foods that should be substituted.
Health Plan
Upon receiving notice of a student's food allergy or other special dietary need, the County Superintendent or designee shall ensure that a written health plan is developed, in consultation with the student's parents/guardians and health provider, to manage the student's needs while at school or at a school-sponsored activity. The plan shall seek to minimize the student's risk of exposure to the allergen and address actions to be taken if exposure occurs. As appropriate, the plan may include specific food prohibitions and substitutions, an identification of common school rooms where the student may be exposed, staff responsibilities, information and training to be provided to staff, accommodations and services to facilitate the student's participation in the educational program, and medical/emergency protocols.
When a student with a food allergy or other special dietary need has been identified as disabled pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, necessary accommodations and services shall be identified as part of the student's Section 504 services plan or individualized education program, as appropriate.
(cf. 5141.24 - Specialized Health Care Services)
(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)
(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education Under Section 504)
Prevention Strategies
To minimize students' exposure to foods to which they are allergic, the County Superintendent or designee shall, at a minimum, implement the following preventive measures:
1. Notification to LACOE Staff
When notified by the parent/guardian that a student has a food allergy, the County Superintendent or designee shall inform the student's principal, teacher(s), bus driver, school nurse, coach, and/or any other personnel responsible for supervising the student.
The principal or designee shall notify substitute staff of the identity of any students with known food allergies and the school's response plan.
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
2. Food Services
LACOE's food services program shall make food substitutions in breakfasts, lunches, and after-school snacks when students are considered to have a disability under Section 504 that restricts their diet and when a health care provider has signed a statement of need that includes recommended alternate foods. (7 CFR 210.10, 220.8)
(cf. 3550 - Food Service/Child Nutrition Program)
(cf. 3552 - Summer Meal Program)
(cf. 3554 - Other Food Sales)
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 5148.2 - Before/After School Programs)
Substitutions may be made on a case-by-case basis for students who do not have a disability under Section 504 but who cannot consume the regular breakfast, lunch, or after-school snack because of medical or other special dietary needs, when supported by a statement of need signed by a health care provider. (7 CFR 210.10, 220.8, 225.16)
LACOE food services staff and/or food service contract agreements shall include food labels or specifications be checked to ensure that foods do not contain traces of substances to which the student is allergic.
Under no circumstances shall food services staff/contract agreements prescribe nutritional requirements or revise a diet order prescribed by a health care provider.
Food substitutions shall not result in any additional cost to the student.
3. Class Parties/School Activities
Without identifying the student, the principal or teacher may notify parents/guardians of other students in the class that a student is allergic to a specific food and may request that certain foods not be provided at class parties or other school events.
Whenever the ingredients in any food served at class parties or other school activities are unknown, the student shall be encouraged to avoid the food.
4. Sanitation and Cleaning
To avoid spreading allergens, cafeteria tables and classroom surfaces shall be cleaned with fresh cloth or disposable paper towels utilizing cleaning products known to effectively remove food proteins, excluding waterless cleaners or instant hand sanitizers that do not involve a wet-wash step. Cross-contact from a sponge or cloth used to clean allergen-containing tabletops shall be avoided.
Staff shall use and promote hand-washing using soap and water before and after food handling.
Students shall be notified that exchanging meals or utensils is prohibited.
5. Professional Development
Schoolwide professional development shall be provided to appropriate staff on the identification and management of food allergies, including avoidance measures, typical symptoms, the proper use of epinephrine auto-injectors, documentation and storage of medication, and emergency drills.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
6. Supervision of Students
When available, staff who are trained and knowledgeable about symptoms of anaphylaxis and actions to take in an emergency shall provide supervision in the classroom and cafeteria, on the playground, and on field trips or other school activities whenever students known to have a food allergy are present.
(cf. 6153 - School-Sponsored Trips)
7. Health Education
LACOE's health education curriculum may include instruction on food allergies in order to assist food-allergic students in taking responsibility for monitoring their diet and to teach other students about the dangers of sharing foods or utensils with others.
(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)
Emergency Response
Epinephrine auto-injectors or other medicine provided for use in the event of an anaphylactic shock reaction shall be stored and used in accordance with law and BP/AR 5141.21 - Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions.
(cf. 4119.43 - Universal Precautions)
(cf. 5141.21 - Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions)
In addition, staff shall call 911 and seek immediate medical attention for a student experiencing an anaphylactic shock reaction.
(cf. 5141 - Health Care and Emergencies)
As soon as possible, school staff shall contact the student's parents/guardians or other person identified as an emergency contact.
When a student with a known allergy will be off school grounds, such as on a field trip, he/she shall be accompanied by a kit containing at least two doses of epinephrine, other medications as noted by the student's health care provider, and, as appropriate, the student's individualized food allergy plan.
Regulation LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
approved: April 7, 2015 Downey, California