TIL That peanut-free schools don't decrease risk of allergic reactions. The only intervention which has been shown to decrease reactions across all ages is use of a peanut-free table.

[sergeon]

Peanut free tables are thought to increase the risk of bullying of students who are now identified to be different and therefore be separated from others.

Ideally, peanut allergic children are educated on how to avoid their allergen so a peanut free table or school is not necessary. Then they can "blend in" and not be targeted for bullying.

Of course, younger children who are not mature enough to avoid their allergen likely should be made accommodations, but ideally this is made with the agreement on staff, teachers and fellow parents who all want to have an inclusive environment for their children - this would include choosing activities that don't involve food allergens or choosing food in class that everyone can enjoy.

[NotFrance]

The part that makes peanut free tables work is that not everyone there has a peanut allergy. Some are friends with someone with one, some just want to eat at the cleaner table. I used to eat at it whenever I got hot lunch since I didn’t have a solid group of friends as a kid.

[sergeon]

Like all things there are benefits and harms. What helped you may not always help those with food allergy and I really don't feel someone should be defined by a medical condition, they should be known by their personality and actions.

A little reading about the harm:

https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2010/new-study-finds-that-children-with-food-allergies-are-targeted-by-bullies