What are we Russia now !! If you don't want little johnny to have candy put a note on his shirt saying don't feed me! Everyone suffers becuse of the few! Everything in moderation and then send it home for the parents to decide. If you keep candy from the kids it just makes it seem more like a reward and thatstarts the disfunctional food reward cycle. IMHO

Kids eat enough sugar and unhealthy food. If the parents really want them to have it then they can give it to them at home. If the schools are trying to teach kids to be healthy then it sends a mixed message when they are allowed to have all kinds of unhealthy foods at parties and at snack time. I don't think any kids are really going to suffer if they don't get candy with their valentines.

Maybe if parents started teaching their kids self control, and teachers were allowed to enforce classroom rules without crazy parents rushing in to object to Johnny being forced to follow the same group rules as everyone else this wouldn't be necessary?

It's true that many kids eat too much junk but to enforce such a strict policy is reactionary. The reality is that everyone should make healthy choices most of the time so that on special occasions, like Valentine's Day, we can celebrate together while enjoying a sweet treat. One cookie or lollipop does not an unhealthy child make. It seems to me that a teachable moment occurs when discussing food for a school party - include some healthy food and some treats and remind kids that everything in moderation IS in fact healthy. I teach in Vancouver, BC and we are trying to encourage healthier eating but certainly celebrate Hallowe'en, Valentine's Day and other holidays with a sweet treat. If you restrict too much, it tends to backfire!

Its also about food allergies folks. My child is old enough now to know not to ingest his known allegies, check labels etc... Little ones cant. Has anyone ever seen a child in anaphylaxis? If you had, you would breath easier with this new trend. Change does not happen to make your life more difficult. Relax, adapt, no one will be harmed...

Well you do sound mean and that weed will not potentially kill your child...your analogy sucks... Perhaps a course on empathy would do you well, Rudy.

I grew up in Geneva and now work as the Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for the National Confectioners Association, the trade association that represents the candy industry. Candy is just a little treat and the reality is that kids are generally not eating too much candy - on average children consume about 50 calories of candy per day (it's less than 3% of their total diet). Candy adds to the fun of holidays and celebrations. Restrictions and bans like this don't necessarily encourage healthy eating or have any impact on obesity rates and may actually backfire. Research shows that kids are more inclined to eat a much higher quantity of treats and not learn to self-moderate when their treats are overly-restricted. Communities should reinforce healthy eating generally, but also that the role of candy in life is as a treat that belongs as a part of special occasions, rather than banning it outright. Regarding allergens, this could be managed by sending a communication home to the parents not to distribute candy with nuts in it (or whatever the allergen of concern is) for that particularly class, rather than banning all candy treats.

Rick...no candy attached to your Valentine...bite your sucker, sir. I can't even begin to tell how much attaching just the right candy heart to Chris Leigh Pederson's carefully chosen tear off valentine meant to me in 3rd grade. To express my heart without attracting dreaded Girl Germs was incredibly important, and hygienic as well. No candy...? Humbug, sir - Humbug!