“The attitude that was displayedin that letter is downright dangerous.Allergies are a big deal, especially allergies that cause anaphylaxis”
I’m writing regarding the letter to the editor which said that allergies are no big deal. I’m writing this as someone who is deathly allergic to wheat and some nuts.
The attitude that was displayed in that letter is downright dangerous. Allergies are a big deal, especially allergies that cause anaphylaxis. This isn’t something to simply brush away and say, “It’s no big deal.”
Many, many allergies are to foods hidden inside other foods. Do you know how often wheat appears in food? Did you know that it’s in sauces? Did you know that many soup mixes contain wheat? How often do you make a soup or a gravy, and flour is a key ingredient as a thickener, and you add it without thinking twice? If my allergy wasn’t public knowledge among my family and friends, I would be dead by now from accidental contamination.
It’s incorrect to say you shouldn’t allow people to ask questions and to point out that a food contains an allergen. It’s crucial that people are aware of what an allergic reaction looks like and know how to help, where your Epipen is located, to call Hatzalah/911 right away, and how to handle it calmly and efficiently. All my colleagues are well aware of what I’m allergic to and the proper protocol in case G-d forbid I have a reaction. I’m extremely grateful when people serve food and right away say, “This contains flour and this salad has nuts.” You don’t always know what ingredients are included in a food, and believe me, it’s a lot more awkward asking someone to list the ingredients! Anytime my family goes anywhere for a meal, I make sure the host remembers I’m allergic to things.
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