Individual Rights v Societal Rights

Students Launch Human Rights Complaints Over School Food Allergies

There are all kinds of deadly weapons that have appeared in schools in the modern era. We've heard of recent knife attacks and gun threats. And then there's the peanut butter sandwich. The lunch bag staple many used to take for granted has become a new threat to some kids who suffer from severe food allergies.

And on Friday, six students from York Region afflicted with the problem announced their intention to file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission to force their school to re-introduce mandatory bag checks to ensure they're not exposed to any of the substances that can kill them.

The kids, who attend St. Stephen Catholic Elementary School in Woodbridge, insist their rights have been violated after repeated appeals to the principal and the board proved fruitless. The school used to have a policy that had teachers inspecting all lunch bags to ensure they were peanut free. But it became an onerous and expensive process and was eventually abandoned. Now the kids and their parents want it back, arguing it may not be pleasant or easy - but it's better than the alternative.

SOURCE: CityNews (Complete Article)

Hmm, I don't know where I stand on this issue. Although I am all for the safety of kids, I think this might be going too far. I mean if every allergy were catered to in this manner, what would be left? Thinking back to my childhood, I would have starved if all these options were removed.

Milk

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Deli slices,
• Canned tuna (casein, a milk protein),
• Pudding,
• Sour cream,
• Yogurt and custard,
• Margarine,
• Butter used to grill food, which melts into the product and can't be detected

Eggs

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Foam topping on coffee drinks,
• Egg substitutes, despite the name,
• Cooked pastas,
• Soup,
• Mayonnaise,
• Pasta,
• Marshmallows

Peanuts

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Any cooked products made with peanut oil,
• Many ethnic foods, like Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese,
• Baked goods,
• Ice cream,
• Sunflower seeds,
• Chocolate and other candy,
• Chili,
• Donuts and pastries,
• Egg rolls,
• Any product that is made near where peanuts or peanut oil is in use.

Tree Nuts

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Barbeque sauce,
• Cereals,
• Crackers,
• Ice cream,
• Mortadella,
• Pesto,
• Chocolates,
• Hacky sacks or bean bags (non-food items that may contain crushed nut shells.)

Fish

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Caesar salad dressings,
• Steak sauce

Soy

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Baked goods,
• Canned tuna,
• Cereals,
• Crackers,
• Infant formulas,
• Sauces,
• Soups,
• Peanut butter.

Wheat

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Many baked goods,
• Hot dogs,
• Ice cream,
• Imitation crabmeat,
• Couscous,
• Wreaths (a non-food product that may use wheat as part of its decoration)

Shellfish

Some forms of it can be found in:

• Crab,
• Lobster,
• Shrimp,
• Prawns,
• Oysters,
• Some natural or artificial flavourings

Lists courtesy of: Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, Health Canada and various health agencies

I believe that when the allergies get this extreme, the onus should be on the children and parents to protect themselves, even if it means wearing latex gloves all day. This sets a dangerous precedent in that, say for example, I have a child who is allergic to chlorophyll (extreme, I know, but humour me here) can I ask the school to chop down every tree, eliminate every bush and shrub and pave over every blade of grass? Would I be out of line in asking that children with such extreme conditions be home-schooled?

While I am all for individual rights, my common sense tells me to draw a line when they infringe on the rights of a society as a whole.