Some foods may not be suitable for certain children. The child then may have a food intolerance or a food allergy.
A food intolerance is an inability to bear a a medication, a food or a food additive at doses other individuals tolerate. It results in physical reactions that do not involve the immune system.
A food allergy is caused by consumption of:
- a protein-related food;
- or a food additive that results in an immune system reaction.
The reaction may be sudden and result in serious consequences which could be, life threatening. This violent reaction is called anaphylactic shock.
The foods that most often result in an allergic reaction are:
- peanuts and peanut butter;
- fish or shellfish;
- bovine protein contained in cow's milk beef and veal.
A child suffering from a food allergy that may result in death should always have access to epinephrine (or adrenalin), a medication prescribed by a physician, and the childcare service must be prepared to deal with a child's anaphylactic reaction.
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