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Most school formals occur in the senior years of Secondary School, but some schools have formals in the upper years of Primary School. This information is designed to assist with what needs to be considered for an upcoming school formal; however, some points may not apply depending on the age of the young person.
Some schools may not have good processes in place for managing food allergies at a school formal. It is important to begin discussions well in advance of the event and it is a great opportunity to involve your young person with managing their food allergy in a social setting.
A school formal is an event which is highly anticipated in the school calendar by many students. It is important to talk with your young person prior to the event and discuss their safety and having fun!
Before the formal
Begin conversations with your young person about how to plan to increase food allergy safety, reduce the risk of anaphylaxis and what is expected of them.
Make an appointment to speak with the school to discuss how the school manages food allergies at a school formal. Your young person should also be involved in this.
Questions to ask the school
- Who is hosting the formal? Is it the school or a private event organised by parents?
- Who is responsible for communicating with the host?
- Who will communicate with the venue to discuss the menu and ingredients of each menu item?
- Will staff attend the formal? Which staff? Have they done anaphylaxis training?
- If the formal will be organised by parents, find out which adults will be there and whether they have done anaphylaxis training.
- Will there be events held before or after the formal? Who is organising, hosting and supervising these events?
Pre and post celebrations
Some formals involve celebrations before and after the event which may not be organised or supervised by the school, so it is important that these events are also discussed with your young person.
You or your young person should speak with hosts of before and after events about food and drinks options. Your young person may need to provide their own food and drinks.
Food and drinks at the formal
- Consider what food and drinks will be available at the venue
- Speak directly with the venue about food and drinks options
- You or your young person should speak with the formal venue about food and drink options
- Consider eating before the formal if you are concerned about the ability of the venue to provide a suitable meal
- Remind your young person not to swap meals or seats. Swapping seats could confuse wait staff and the wrong meal could be placed in front of them
- Chef cards for students with food allergies can be helpful to hand to venue wait staff to pass on to the chef
- As it is likely to be a long event, your young person might like to take suitable snacks
Adrenaline device
Discuss how the school will confirm that the student’s adrenaline device is at the venue. Arrangements may vary depending on school policy.
Your young person should carry their adrenaline device in addition to any school adrenaline devices.
- Discuss with your young person where they will keep their adrenaline device, for example handbags may be too small. Some people may not carry a bag and leave their adrenaline device in their partner’s bag
- Ensure that your young person travels in the same vehicle as their adrenaline device. For example: if a friend is storing the adrenaline device in their handbag but then they travel in separate cars
ASCIA Action Plan
Your young person must keep a copy of their ASCIA Action Plan with their adrenaline device.
Consider having a photo of the ASCIA Action Plan on your young person’s mobile phone and on a close friend’s mobile phone.
Alcohol
Will alcohol be served? Be aware that often alcohol may be served or available at events before and after the formal.
Like a designated driver who does not drink alcohol, consider having a trusted friend who is not drinking look out for you if you are drinking and have food allergy.
Challenges with alcohol specific to food allergy:
- Alcohol may contain food allergens (for example, wheat in beer)
- Cocktail garnishes often contain food allergens (for example Persian fairy floss usually contains sesame/tree nuts)
- Alcohol can impair judgement, resulting in the young person making unsafe food choices
- Alcohol can increase allergen absorption and make food allergies worse
- If a person collapses because of anaphylaxis, people may think they have had too much alcohol or are drunk
Cosmetics
There may be food allergens in cosmetics or hair products.
Friends, partners and additional guests
- Peer education-consider educating close friends about food allergy management and anaphylaxis emergency treatment. Your young person may wish to do this
- Partners and additional guests-do they have any allergies? Consider educating them about anaphylaxis first aid, consider dietary advice/restrictions
Kissing
Kissing on the lips may trigger allergic reactions if the partner of the person with food allergy has eaten the allergen within about two hours of kissing. Other forms of contact (such as a kiss on the cheek or a hug) from someone that may have eaten the allergen is highly unlikely to trigger anaphylaxis.
For those with an insect allergy it is important that your young person carries their ASCIA action plan, and any prescribed medication such as their adrenaline device and/or antihistamine. Be aware that they could be outside, for example taking photos in the garden or outside at the venue. Discuss travel to the event, especially in shared rides and how to reduce the risk of flying insects entering vehicle. Consider the risk of open windows, a sunroof or roofless cars that are sometimes used to take people to school formals.
Discuss the importance of not sharing medication and not accepting medication from others. People with medication allergy are reminded to tell someone they are with about their medication allergy, especially if they are not wearing their medical identification jewellery to the formal. In the unlikely case of an emergency on formal night, medical staff need to know what medication the person is allergic to.
Your young person with latex allergy must carry their ASCIA Action Plan, and any prescribed medication such as their adrenaline device and/or antihistamine. Latex may be found in products including balloons, underwear elastic, tyres, shoes, sporting equipment, toys, dummies, rubber bands and condoms.
Allergy 250K – A resource for young people
Allergy 250K is a resource hub for the 250,000 young Australians living with severe allergy.
The website provides age-appropriate information and resources to assist young people who are living with severe allergies.