Did you know that yesterday was National Peanut Butter Day? January 24 is the official day to celebrate the favorite childhood lunch of a PB&J sandwich, says the Huffington Post. But what might seem like a whimsical holiday in celebration of a favored food can in fact be downright scary for those with peanut allergies.
In past years, some schools celebrated the day by serving peanut butter sandwiches or other peanut-laden treats. The problem with this approach, of course, is that even a small trace of peanuts can set off a serious allergic reaction. These days, it's far less common to see peanut butter on lunchroom menus because of the allergy risk, but events like National Peanut Butter Day can still make allergy sufferers cringe. With more than 6 million school-aged kids in the U.S. now facing food allergies, it is more important than ever for schools to take heed of the danger of peanuts and other common food allergens.
What do you think? Should National Peanut Butter Day be a holiday, or should celebrations involving peanuts be avoided in deference to those who are allergic? Did your child's school celebrate National Peanut Butter Day this year, and if so, what was your response?
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