Allergy causes school banana ban

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Children at a school in Plymouth have been told not to bring in bananas because a member of staff is allergic to them.

The move by Stoke Damerel Primary School has been branded "over the top" by Plymouth City Council's leader, Vivien Pengelly.

A council spokeswoman said the school community had supported the request.

She added that the staff member would be leaving school in September and bananas would be "welcome back".

Most people know that individuals can have allergic reactions to substances Plymouth City Council

The council said it advised the school in 2007 to ask pupils not to bring bananas in because the allergy was potentially life-threatening.

The spokeswoman said: "These are very unusual circumstances but the school community has been supportive and understanding over the last two years.

"Most people know that individuals can have allergic reactions to substances, with nut allergies being particularly well-known.

"Reactions can be extreme in some cases, including anaphylactic shock, which can lead to collapse and even death."

Mrs Pengelly, who only recently learned of the banana boycott, said she would be asking officers to investigate.

"This is the first I have heard about this and it does sound a bit over the top to me.

"It's my experience as a head teacher that when there are allergies in a school we encourage children to manage the risk around them.

"I shall be asking officers to look at this particular case again to see whether anything else might be done," she said.