Based on almost 40 years of dealing with Rules Lawyers, they specified peanuts because some people will say “but they aren’t nuts!” and PBJs because some people will say “but PB isn’t peanuts!” or simply not realize that yes, peanut butter is made from peanuts and poses the same health risk as peanuts. They risk someone bringing a PB-no-J sandwich, but those may be a lot less frequent locally.
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:49, topic:606994”]
A side question: Generally speaking, are people with peanut allergies also allergic to other (“real”) nuts like almonds and walnuts? And what about the converse? Do people with general nut allergies typically have trouble with peanuts?
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Almonds are not true tree nuts either. They are more closely related to peaches and apricots. My husband has a deadly allergy to almonds, but can eat all other nuts.
That said, the allergist who treats him says that eventually, he will develop allergies to other nuts and peanuts. Even though they aren’t related, the immune system “sees” them in a similar manner.
And yes, other nut allergies are as serious as peanut allergies.
I can’t speak to the exact reasoning of the school, but in my experience this is a real problem. Many, many things that contain nuts as an ingredient also contain peanut residue. If you look at the allergy information that is now listed on food labels (in the US at least), you will often see that even items that don’t directly contain peanuts often have the disclaimer that the item: “may contain traces of peanuts” or “processed in a facility that also processes peanuts”.
These warnings are present on almost all food items that contain nuts, unless they are from a smaller or specialty producer. So cross-contamination may well be the reason for the warning. I believe some food producers use these warnings as blanket CYA-type boilerplate and include it on every label regardless. However, people with peanut allergies are often sensitive to even fantastically small amounts. I have had reactions to products with both of the above warnings even though my allergy has greatly diminished since childhood.
My guess is for the reasons that Nava mentioned. I think people don’t always extrapolate well when dealing with rules or guidelines. It’s a hectic morning, kids are cranky, you’re trying to get them out the door and a quick PB&J sandwhich is easy to put together. . . In such a state, we often revert to very literal interpretations. Anyway, I believe peanut butter is actually much more likely to cause problems as well. It’s sticky and goopy and transfers all over the place quite easily, especially with kids.
Also, it seems more ‘volatile’ to me. I have a very keen nose for peanuts and can usually smell them in minute quantities. Being around peanuts in whole form is not generally a big problem for me, but peanut butter is an almost overpowering scent. For example, if I were in a car with someone eating a bag of peanuts, I would smell it, but it would be tolerable. If that person were eating a PB&J, I would have to get out of the car. I don’t know how this translates for those people who have actual allergic reactions to airborne peanut particles though.
No, they are separate issues. An individual may certainly have allergies to both, but it is not a given. I have a peanut allergy, but I eat tree nuts (carefully sourced to avoid contamination) regularly. I have an almond butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast probably one a week or so and I often have nuts as a snack.
That’s interesting. I haven’t heard anything like that before. . . I’ve never developed any allergies to tree nuts or almonds despite a lifelong peanut allergy. I guess you have to go with what your doctor says, but is there support for that idea anywhere else?