1. ALLERGENS AND LABELING VARIANCE FOR PACKAGED FOODS Responding to consumers in the school cafeteria North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Safe and Healthy Schools Support Division School Nutrition Services Section August 2014 USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2. Allergens Proteins Not eliminated by cooking or baking Occurs when body has specific immune response Can cause severe or fatal reactions

3. Big 8 Allergens

4. Food Allergy Reactions Non- anaphylactic symptoms Anaphylaxis

5. State Agency – School Nutrition Services Role for the Labeling Variance Write and gain approval for the Variance Distribute the Division of Public Health Position Statement Provide information to School Nutrition Administrators Include allergen information in the HACCP Plan Develop continuing education lesson for School Nutrition staff

6. School Food Authority - School Nutrition Role for the Labeling Variance School Nutrition Administrator Person in Charge/Manager Food Employees

7. Employee Expectations Know how to read labels Avoid cross-contact of foods Respond to information requests honestly Seek additional information from the PIC when needed

8. Tips for reading labels Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act List available from foodallergy.org “ Contains” statements “May contain” statements

9. Avoiding Cross-contact Use clean utensils for each food Avoid spatters from one food to another Wash hands thoroughly with soap Practice effective surface cleaning

10. Responding to information requests Never guess about the content of foods If unsure of ingredients, check the label or recommend a food you know to be safe Ask the PIC/manager for assistance if unsure Assure the consumer that you will find someone who can assist with questions

11. References Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). Retrieved from: www.foodallergy.org Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 2013. Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Programs. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/pdf/13_243 135_A_Food_Allergy_Web_508.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/pdf/13_243 135_A_Food_Allergy_Web_508.pdf Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 2013. Food Allergies in Schools. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/ http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/

12. QUESTIONS? Contact your School Nutrition Administrator or Regional School Nutrition Specialist

13. The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call 866.632.9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax 202.690.7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.htmlprogram.intake@usda.gov Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877.8339; or (800) 845.6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.