Children enjoy the opportunity to taste, touch and smell new and familiar types of fruits and vegetables. There is evidence that the more often children are given the opportunity to try new foods the more likely they are to try them and consequently like them. Tasting sessions have an important role to play in any Grab 5! project. Tasting sessions can be carried out in a variety of ways - the most important thing is to remember to get them into the school day as often as possible.
Variations on the tasting theme include blindfolded sessions (take care not to choose items with very strong tastes as this might reinforce children's dislike of an item), smelling sessions, and touch sessions. Children can be asked to describe what they taste, feel and smell and can draw up tables to record their findings. English worksheet 14 provides a list of vocabulary that can be used to support these activities.

Strict hygiene procedures should be observed at all times (refer to Action Pack, Information Bank 6 and Design and Technology, activity 1, Keeping Safe for guidance).

It is possible that some children may suffer from allergies to certain fruits and vegetables. It is important to inform parents in advance of any tasting session so that information about allergies is known. These allergies are usually quite mild, only causing reactions if the fruit are actually eaten, but they can be very severe.

Anaphylactic reactions: The foods most likely to precipitate a serious 'anaphylactic' reaction are peanuts, tree nuts and sesame seeds, kiwi fruit and citrus fruits. Teachers need to ascertain from parents whether any child has a history of anaphylactic reaction to any food. Even though the child may not previously have reacted to a fruit or vegetable, a history of allergic reactions increases the likelihood that they may react to a new fruit or vegetable. If there is a history of allergic reaction, the child should carry an Epipen to administer adrenaline in case of a reaction and the teacher/school should be trained in the use of the pen and the procedures to follow. For more information contact: The Anaphylaxis Campaign, PO Box 275, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 6SX Tel. 01252 542029 www.anaphylaxis.org.uk

Generalised sensitivities: Common conditions such as eczema, asthma and migraine can be triggered by certain foods so teachers should not ignore children's claims that they 'can't eat' certain fruits of vegetables. For further information contact:
Action Against Allergy, PO Box 278, Twickenham, TW1 4QQ, tel. 020 8892 4949
British Allergy Foundation, Deepdene House, 30 Bellegrove Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 3PY,
tel. 020 8303 8525, www.allergyfoundation.com
The Inside Story, 5 Lawn Road, London NW3 2XS, tel. 020 7722 2866, www.inside-story.com