|
|
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Kids With Food Allergies, a division of AAFA, applaud the USDA for developing a proposed rule that provides a comprehensive framework for school wellness policy implementation, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. While we support the proposed rule’s efforts to assist local education agencies (LEAs) in meeting expanded local school wellness policy development, implementation and review, we urge that those involved develop policies consistent with 1) the USDA Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition Program guidance and 2) recommended practices for avoiding allergens in the classroom and activities detailed in the CDC Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in Schools and Early Care and Education Programs.
Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs -This guidance document was created in 1995 and minor revisions were made in 2001. Since that time, significant changes have occurred in relevant laws that affect this document. The guidance is currently under revision to incorporate current versions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This will allow schools to understand fully the current requirements for accommodating students with disabilities in school nutrition programs. We will post the revision as soon as it is available.
