An allergy organisation says outright bans on allergens in schools and childcare centres aren't best practice.  

Allergy New Zealand says the bans are hard to uphold, and there's no consistency between schools.  

It says educating students on the dangers of allergies and discouraging sharing food is a better way to keep children safe.  

Chief Executive Mark Dixon told Mike Yardley the bans can have unintended consequences.  

"They tend to ostracise the child that's living with the allergy." 

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