Monday, September 11, 2017

Unbelievable Grade One Snack List Highlights Unhealthy Social Norms

Thanks to nutritional biochemist Dr. Dylan MacKay (following him on Twitter is well worth it) for sharing the handout his 6 year old daughter's school sent home to parents to provide them with examples of peanut free snacks that their kids could bring.

The list is unbelievable. In part it's difficult to believe that a school would suggest these options, but more, it's difficult to believe that whoever put this together didn't take a minute to pause and consider what they were writing.

That they didn't doesn't speak to their lack of intellect, competence, or caring, but rather speaks to just how normal it has become to rely on ultra-processed junk to feed our children. Plainly put, people tend not to question or scrutinize social norms.

Here's the list transcribed
Cookies and Crackers

Dare: Wagon wheels, Bear paws, Vinta crackers, Grissol breads
Christie: If no peanut/nut warning on pkg then safe. Chips Ahoy, Oreos, Animal Crackers, Ritz, Stoned Wheat Thins, Triscuit, Premium Plus
Peek Freans: Shortbread, Creme-Filled, Digestive Cookies
Kellogg's: Rice Krispie squares (except for peanut type), Nutri-grain bars, Pop Tarts, Special K bars
President's Choice: Various cookies and crackers, Granola bars, Rice Crispie squares, animal crackers, fruit snacks
Pepperidge Farms: Goldfish crackers (various flavors)
Betty Crocker/General Mills: Fruit snacks, fruit roll-up, Dunkaroos

Chips

Old Dutch: All flavors, popcorn twists, pretzels, taco chips
Frito/Lays: All flavors, tortilla, taco chips, cheezies
Pringles: All flavors
Hawkins: Cheezies

Yogurt: Most yogurts are safe except those that contain Muesli

Puddings: Jello, Magic moments, Superstore brands are all safe, Fruit cups and applesauces

Candy/Chocolates

Dare Candy: all Dare candy made in a peanut/nut free facility
Wonka Candy: Sweet tarts, Nerds, Gobstoppers
Hershey's: *some products have peanut free symbol, Twizzlers, Nibs, Tootsie rolls, Kisses (read label for safe flavors), treat size bars
Nestle: Aero, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp, Mirage, Mint Aero, Smarties, also treat size bars (seasonal or special shaped (heart, or ball) treats may not be safe)
Effem: *Mars bars with peanut free symbol, Skittles
Trebor-Allan: Various candy, Laces, Big foot, Hot lips, Lollipops
Vadeboncoeur: #peanut free symbol. Variety of chocolates
And then, as an afterthought, outside the main list iat the very bottom of the page, is this non-highlighted single line,
"Fruits and Vegetables are healthy choices and are also peanut free"
Hopefully, moving forward, the school will utilize the revised version that Dylan mocked up for them, and if your kid's school sends you a similar list, free free to share it with them as well.