It’s time to put away the mung bean butter… In a world-first move, new Aussie guidelines recommend that blanket bans on problematic foods from schools and childcare centres be replaced by other measures. With food allergies affecting one in 20 Aussie school kids, the National Allergy Strategy has emerged from a 2-year effort between health experts, teaching staff, parents and guardians. The guidelines recommend that instead of blanket bans, there should be education about allergies and strategies to reduce the risk of life-threatening reactions. That could be achieved by things like having special zones where certain foods are eaten. Allergy specialist Dr Preeti Joshi said the guidelines are a national guide to managing allergies – which is a bit of a “grey area”.