(Washington, D.C., August 11, 2008) Kids will soon go back to school, which means the return of homework, after school activities and mealtimes that aren’t always ideal. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation would like to offer families innovative and healthful eating tips that will jumpstart a successful school year.

Did you know that over 80 percent of schools have children with known food allergies? Managing a child’s food allergies outside the home can be difficult and scary. Parents of children with food allergies will find useful resources on kidnetic.com such as: Kids and Food Allergies: Facts Tips, and Resources. Also, the IFIC Foundation partnered with the School Nutrition Association (SNA) to produce School Foodservice and Food Allergies: What We Need to Know. This resource, which was also reviewed by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), provides background information on the Big 8 food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, soy, wheat, and shellfish) and offers tips on how to read food labels for allergen information.

IFIC.org and Kidnetic.com offer a variety of resources for parents and kids as the school year begins. Features include the following and much, more:

• Real-Life Guide for Parents—A how-to resource for parents who want to become better role models when it comes to healthful eating and physical activity.
  
• Brown Bag Specials—Quick and easy recipes for kids to have a healthful lunch they’ll enjoy.
  
• Eating for Energy—Suggestions on the type of foods to get kids revved-up and on the move.
  
• Power Up with Breakfast—Feed the brain so that kids can listen up in class, get schoolwork done, and even do better on tests.

Wondering if the after school snacks your kids consume are safe? Wonder no more. We have the answers to your most common questions regarding food colors and ingredients.

Do you have questions about High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)? Connect to the Webinar that provides science-based facts on HFCS and school wellness. This Webinar held in conjunction with SNA and the IFIC Foundation, aims to provide clarity to the topic of HFCS by bringing together the consumer, nutrition, and food science perspectives.

For additional information on kids and healthful habits, or to schedule an interview with an expert please call the IFIC Foundation Media Team at 202-296-6540.

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The Kidnetic.com resources promote healthful eating and active living by inspiring kids and their parents to move toward healthier lifestyles. In addition to the Web site, the Kidnetic.com portfolio includes a “Leader’s Guide” educational resource and the “Real-Life Guide for Parents.”

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation will effectively communicate science-based information on health, nutrition, and food safety for the public good. The IFIC Foundation is supported primarily by the broad-based food, beverage and agricultural industries. IFIC Foundation materials are available at http://ific.org/newsroom. For interviews with scientific experts or for more information, call (202) 296-6540.