Childcare Special Diet and Food Allergy Management
Food allergies affect approximately 1 in 13 children. This checklist ensures proper documentation, preparation, and emergency response for children with food allergies and medical diet requirements, meeting CACFP special diet provisions and state childcare licensing health requirements.
- Industry: Childcare and Education
- Frequency: Per enrollment; reviewed quarterly
- Estimated Time: 60 minutes per child at enrollment
- Role: Center Director / Food Service Manager
- Total Items: 30
Medical Diet Documentation
Verify physician documentation on file.
- Licensed physician or medical authority diet order on file for all children with medical restrictions?
- All diet authorization forms for current school year?
- Child photo attached to diet order for kitchen identification?
- EpiPen or emergency medication prescription and authorization form for anaphylactic children?
- Parent authorization for emergency medication administration current?
Staff Training and Knowledge
Verify staff trained on all current dietary restrictions.
- All staff in contact with children briefed on all current food allergies?
- All staff trained in epinephrine auto-injector use?
- Staff trained to recognize anaphylaxis symptoms?
- Protocol for briefing substitute staff on current food allergies?
- Annual food allergy training documented for all staff?
Kitchen Preparation Protocols
Verify kitchen allergen prevention protocols.
- Allergy alert notices posted in kitchen with each child's photo and allergens?
- Separate preparation area and utensils used for allergen-free meals?
- Staff handwashing protocol before preparing allergy meals?
- All ingredient labels checked before use for allergen-containing foods?
- Cross-contact prevention protocols followed (clean surfaces, separate tongs/serving utensils)?
Meal Service Allergen Prevention
Verify meal service procedures protect allergic children.
- Allergy-safe meals clearly labeled with child's name before service?
- Allergy meals served to child directly - not placed in buffet or family style?
- Special seating arrangement for severely allergic children to prevent cross-contact?
- Birthday and celebration food policy enforced to protect allergic children?
- Allergic children supervised directly during all meals and snacks?
Allergy Emergency Response
Verify emergency response readiness for anaphylaxis.
- EpiPen(s) stored per physician order with quick accessibility (not locked away)?
- All EpiPens within expiration date?
- Individual emergency action plans for anaphylactic children accessible to all staff?
- Staff know to call 911 immediately after epinephrine administration?
- Anaphylaxis emergency response practiced in staff drills?
CACFP Special Diet Compliance
Verify CACFP compliance for medical diet substitutions.
- Physician medical statement on CACFP required form for all children receiving CACFP substitutions?
- All meal substitutions documented in CACFP food production records?
- Substituted foods creditable toward CACFP meal pattern requirements?
- Special diet documentation available for CACFP monitoring review?
- Children with non-disability-based preferences served standard menu without CACFP substitution claim?
Related Childcare Education Checklists
- Childcare Mealtime Supervision and Nutrition Observation
- Childcare Center Menu Planning and CACFP Compliance Review
- Childcare Kitchen and Food Service Daily Sanitation Inspection
- CACFP Menu Planning and Nutritional Compliance Review
- Childcare Stranger Safety and Authorized Pickup Security Protocol
- After-School STEM Enrichment Program Safety and Quality
- Infant Room Monthly Safety and Compliance Inspection
- Childcare Staff Performance and Classroom Quality Observation
Related Nutrition Meals Checklists
- CACFP Menu Planning and Nutritional Compliance Review - FREE Download
- Childcare Food Allergy Management Compliance - FREE Download
- Childcare Nutrition Education and Healthy Eating Program - FREE Download
- CACFP Monthly Food Program Compliance Audit - FREE Download
- Childcare Mealtime Supervision and Nutrition Observation - FREE Download
- Childcare Center Menu Planning and CACFP Compliance Review - FREE Download
- Childcare Kitchen and Food Service Daily Sanitation Inspection - FREE Download
Why Use This Childcare Special Diet and Food Allergy Management?
This childcare special diet and food allergy management helps childcare and education teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for center director / food service manager professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per enrollment; reviewed quarterly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Childcare Special Diet and Food Allergy Management cover?
This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: Medical Diet Documentation, Staff Training and Knowledge, Kitchen Preparation Protocols, Meal Service Allergen Prevention, Allergy Emergency Response, CACFP Special Diet Compliance. It is designed for childcare and education operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per enrollment; reviewed quarterly. Each completion takes approximately 60 minutes per child at enrollment.
Who should use this Childcare Special Diet and Food Allergy Management?
This checklist is designed for Center Director / Food Service Manager professionals in the childcare and education industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.