PROPOSED CHURCH GUIDELINES FOR
MANAGING CHILDREN AND TEENS
WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
Food allergies can be life threatening. The risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced in the
church setting if churches work with children, parents, and physicians to minimize risks and provide a
safe environment for food-allergic children.
Family’s Responsibility
Notify the appropriate auxiliary leaders (Primary Presidency, Sunday School Presidency, Young Men’s
or Women’s Presidency, and Seminary) of the child’s or teen’s allergies.
Work with the corresponding auxiliary leaders to develop a plan that accommodates the child’s needs
throughout the ward including in the classroom, activity meeting place, ward meeting place, during
instruction and other church activities as a Food Allergy Action Plan.
Provide written medical documentation, instructions, and medications as directed by a physician, using
the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide. Include a photo of the child/teen on written form.
Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration. If child/teen
is under 8 years of age, parent must be present on premises at all times with medication.
Educate the child/teen, as age and developmentally appropriate, in the self-management of their food
allergy including:
safe and unsafe foods
strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
symptoms of allergic reactions
how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
how to read food labels
Review policies/procedures with the appropriate auxiliary leaders, the child/teen’s physician, and the
child/teen (if age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred.
Provide emergency contact information.
Church’s Responsibility
To provide a loving, safe, organized environment in which children/youth thrive through positive
experiences in a Church setting.
Review the health records submitted by parents and physicians.
Include food-allergic children/teen’s in church activities. Children/Teen’s should not be excluded from
church activities solely based on their food allergy.
Identify a core team of, but not limited to, teacher(s), Primary Presidency, Activity Day, Scouting,
Young Men, Young Women Leader(s), Seminary Leaders and Bishopric, to work with parents and the
child/teen (age appropriate) to establish a prevention plan. Changes to the prevention plan to promote
food allergy management should be made with core team participation.
Assure that all church members and leaders who interact with the child/teen on a regular basis
understands food allergy, can recognize symptoms, knows what to do in an emergency, and works with
other church leaders to eliminate the use of food allergens in the allergic child/teen’s meals, educational
tools, arts and crafts projects, or incentives.
Practice the Food Allergy Action Plans before an allergic reaction occurs to assure the
efficiency/effectiveness of the plans.
In the event parent is not present (i.e. Activity Days/Scouts/Young Men/Young Women/Seminary): Be
prepared to handle a reaction and ensure that there is a church leader available who is properly trained to
administer medications during church activities day regardless of time or location.
Review policies/prevention plan with the core team members, parents/guardians, child/teen (age
appropriate), and physician after a reaction has occurred.
Recommend that all leaders have access to land lines, or cell phones in case of an emergency.
Enforce a “zero tolerance” policy regarding food under current church guideline: “Food should only be
provided when it is included as part of a lesson or as a snack for the children in the nursery class. Be sure
to consult with the parents of each child about any dietary restrictions that may be caused by conditions
such as diabetes or allergies (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239)."
Involvement in church activities such as Activity Days, Scouting, Young Men’s, Young Womens, and
Seminary: Discuss field trips with the family of the food-allergic child/teen to decide appropriate
strategies for managing the food allergy.
Follow federal/state/district laws and regulations regarding sharing medical information about the
child/teen.
Take threats or harassment against an allergic child/teen seriously.
Child/Teen’s Responsibility (age appropriate)
Should not trade food with others.
Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.
Should be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their
developmental level.
Should notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which
they are allergic.
Children under 8 years of age need extra care and vigilance by all the core team members, and
parents/guardians. This is especially important in early years of Nursery and Primary when children are
not yet communicating or understanding their health situation, and that of their environment.
This information has been adjusted from The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN) School
Food Allergy Program. More detailed suggestions for implementing these objectives and creating a
specific plan for each individual child in order to address his or her particular needs are available in The
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN) School Food Allergy Program. The School Food
Allergy Program has been endorsed and/or supported by the Anaphylaxis Committee of the American
Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, the National Association of School Nurses, and the
Executive Committee of the Section on Allergy and Immunology of the American Academy
of Pediatrics. FAAN can be reached at: 800/929-4040.
The following organizations participated in the development of the original school version of this document:
American School Food Service Association
National Association of Elementary School Principals
National Association of School Nurses
National School Boards Association
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network