An allergy specialist in Nova Scotia is working on a plan that could see a banned substance back in schools — peanut butter.

Dr. Wade Watson, with the IWK Health Centre's allergy division, is helping the Department of Education revamp the anaphylaxis protocol.

The issue is about education, not banning foods, he says, because simply restricting foods creates a false sense of security.

"Part of the problem is when people hear 'allergen-free environment,' that means there's no chance that I'm going to have an allergic reaction. I think that's a mistake. What we're trying to do is have an allergen-aware environment."

There are national guidelines, but Nova Scotia's school boards have been left to interpret them on their own.

That creates a lot of inconsistencies, says Ruth Roberts, whose daughter has a severe allergy to nuts and milk.

"That can be dangerous for these kids who are living with life-threatening allergies," Roberts said. "There needs to be consistency among the schools so that when teachers move from school to school, they have some idea of what they're expected to do."

Jillian Roberts, a Grade 7 student at Bedford Junior High School, sits in a specific spot for lunch. With her allergies, the smallest amount of dairy can be life-threatening.

"I sit at the end of a table," she said, "so I'm not in between other people with food I'm allergic to."

The school bans nuts but not milk products.

Watson said the new anaphylaxis guidelines will include recommendations for dealing with students experiencing an allergic reaction, but won't impose an outright ban on certain foods.

It will be up to each school to decide. This means some schools, like those with younger students in particular, may keep their peanut butter restriction in place while others lift it.

The new guidelines are expected to be released this month.