@merchantships, thank you for the questions and for showing sensitivity on the topic. I can only speak for myself and my comfort zone. From what I have found, families of food-allergic children have varying degrees of comfort and risk-taking. Some of us don't eat the bakery store cake, some do; some won't eat food processed on same equipment, some do..etc. Should you invite me to your home, all I would ask of you is to tell me what you just said here: "We eat a lot of peanut butter, there's a risk of exposure, what do you want to do?" I'd likely suggest we meet somewhere else. I don't ask people to alter what they do in their own home for us, but I don't allow nuts in my house. At play dates, our friends know we can't share food and should there be peanut butter (some are vegetarians who eat a lot of it) we just keep the kids separate and wash hands, faces and tables. Also, our friends were told not to give Maria food directly, but to ask us first and allow us to check the packaging or ask questions about ingredients. It's worked great and it has allowed opportunities to reinforce to Maria that she cannot eat what other children are eating without first checking with us to make sure the product is safe. As for nuts in public places, I have no real idea. I would worry about a false sense of security. People forget and nuts can slip in where they're not supposed to be. I say all of that knowing I don't have a child who has reactions from airborne allergens like peanut dust. We fly a lot and my custom is to wipe down the seats and tables on planes. She's never had a reaction. I do, however, expect that in places where food is prohibited that people follow the rules. I am so grateful our local gym's child care is nut-free, otherwise, we wouldn't use it. You and I live in the same area and I stopped going to an indoor mall playground when Maria was 2 because a mom allowed her daughters to eat peanut butter crackers and get the crumbs all over the carpeting. Maria attempted to eat a crumb. I asked the mom -- nicely -- to please consider not bringing peanut butter next time. Her reply was that her daughter has an egg allergy and she can't tell people what to eat. My counter was that I have a "reasonable expectation'' that my child is safe there because food is not allowed by the management. I was shaking I was so upset by her disregard for me, my daughter, the rules. So, you know what? I never went there again. Education via confrontation isn't my way. This is probably more than you wanted, but there ya go. :lol