Nut-Free is NOT a Suggestion!

I get it. It’s just a granola bar. Or a peanut butter sandwich. A quick snack your kid loves. But here’s the truth: in the wrong space, that “quick snack” can send another child into anaphylaxis. In minutes.

When we say a school, classroom, camp, or daycare is nut-free, we’re not making a suggestion. We’re setting a boundary that could literally save a life.

Nut allergies aren’t about mild hives or tummy aches. We’re talking blocked airways. Adrenaline injections. 911 calls. Hospital stays. The kind of fear that makes you check every label, every time, even when you're exhausted. The kind of fear that parents of allergic kids carry everywhere they go.

Still, I hear it:“But my kid doesn’t have allergies.”“It was just a small bite.”“She didn’t even eat it near anyone.”

I hear you—but you’re missing the point.

Nut-free spaces aren’t about your child’s preference. They’re about all children’s safety. They’re about ensuring no parent gets a call saying, “There was an incident. We’re on the way to the ER.”

We aren’t asking for perfection. We’re asking for care. For mindfulness. For solidarity.

It’s not about being overdramatic or picky. It’s about making community spaces safe for everybody—especially the most vulnerable.

So next time you pack a lunch, bring a snack to the park, or drop something off at school—check the label. Choose something safe. Respect the boundary.

Because when we say nut-free, we’re not offering a suggestion.

We’re drawing a line around every child’s right to feel safe, included, and protected.

Let’s hold that line—together.

💛CatarinaFounder, No Peanuts Please Canada

Honours Student • Camp Director • Swim Instructor • Allergy Warrior