Good question. I asked ChatGPT and got this response:

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Yes, many schools in the U.S. and other countries implement restrictions on peanut butter and other peanut products to protect students with severe peanut allergies. The severity of peanut allergies can be life-threatening, and schools take precautions to create a safe environment for those students.

Schools may designate certain classrooms, lunch areas, or even entire schools as peanut-free zones if there is a student with a known severe allergy. The rationale is that peanut residue or particles could trigger allergic reactions, even without direct consumption of peanuts by the allergic student.

This approach is similar to what happens on some airlines, where peanut products are avoided if a passenger has a severe allergy. The goal in both cases is to prevent exposure that could lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

However, policies can vary between schools. Some schools ban all peanut products, while others may only request that parents avoid sending peanut items in their child’s lunch. These decisions are typically based on the level of risk and the specific needs of the allergic student.

In sum, while not every school bans peanut products, it is a common practice in schools where there are students with severe peanut allergies, as a safety measure to protect their health.

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