2025 Volume 39 Issue 1 Pages 14-23
Purpose: To conduct a survey on the current situation regarding the management of food allergies in nursery schools.
Methods: In 2023, questionnaires were sent by e-mail to 450 nursery schools, etc. in Kobe.
Results: 135 facilities responded. 112 facilities had children with food allergies. Food was prepared in 85.9% of the facilities, and 93.2% of the 132 facilities provided foods with allergens omitted for children with allergies. The most allergen foods were hen's eggs, milk, walnuts, peanuts, fruits, wheats. Children with restrictions on soup stock, miso, seasonings, etc. were found in 14 facilities. The most common problem in dealing with food allergies was 'safety management'. On the other hand, 38.9% of dietitians answered, 'nutritional balance'. 71 facilities had experience with misfed foods, with differences depending on the number of children in school and the number of children with food allergies (P=0.04). Information sharing between cooks and caregivers was mentioned as one way of dealing with misfed food.
Conclusion: Healthcare professionals need to support safety management in nursery schools and provide dietary and nutritional guidance taking into account nutritional deficiencies in the daily diet.
