Approximately eight percent of US children have some kind of food allergy, researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reported in the journal Pediatrics. Almost 40 percent of those with a food allergy have a history of severe reactions, while around 30 percent are allergic to several foods, the authors added.

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control found that a quarter of high school students drink at least one soda a day, though many more drink other sweetened beverages like sports drinks and flavored milk. When all sweetened drinks are considered, the figure is more like two-thirds of high schoolers, but that is actually down from as high as three-quarters back in the 1990s.

The Los Angeles Unified School District school board has voted to eliminate flavored milk from its dining operations effective July 1. It becomes the largest school district in the country to effect such a ban.

Aramark is spinning off its SeamlessWeb online and mobile food ordering service following the sale of a minority stake in the service to private equity firm Spectrum Equity Investors. Aramark retains majority ownership of the unit, which will operate as a standalone enterprise.

Kansas State University has named Derek Jackson director of housing and dining services, the unit that houses and feeds more than 5,000 students living on campus. Currently associate director for administrative services and residence life, he began his new duties July 1.

The University of Alabama-Birmingham has set up a fresh food farm stand that moves around the campus to various locations during the summer. New Leaf Farm Stand is part of UAB's wellness program for employees and was developed in partnership with UAB Hospital's Food & Nutrition Services Department.

A Los Angeles School Board mandate to provide health benefits to part-time employees has helped put the cafeteria fund at the LAUSD in the red, according to an investigate piece by the Los Angeles Times (at articles.latimes.com/2011/may/30/local/la-me-lausd-cafeteria-20110530).