This blog is not directly related to day to day business, however it is being posted as a reminder to people that food allergies go way beyond peanuts and other nuts. It has become increasingly clear that a lot of people are not aware of a couple of other allergies which are equally dangerous, being shellfish such as lobster and shrimp, and blue cheese.

Unfortunately a lot of people add blue cheese to hamburgers, cole slaw, cheese plates, salads and even chocolates. As it is not easily visible, and mixes easily it is extremely dangerous.

If you are among lucky people who have no food allergies, I can only say I am extremely jealous, as food allergies are tiresome, irksome, and generally a total nuisance, however, they can also be the difference between life and death.

Shellfish luckily tend to be more obvious, as due to their bright colour they are harder to disguise, and most people will proudly announce a seafood plate.

I was recently reminded of an incident which occurred at a party over 10 years ago where one guest brought a salad with blue cheese dressing and didn’t bother to tell anyone. It was placed on a serving table with no explanation, and we were invited to help ourselves. I made the mistake of taking some, as one would presume that salad was a healthy option, not this day. I took one bite and my mouth lit up …..it is hard to describe, the best way is to say very unpleasant tingling…..luckily I was near a sink and I quickly spit it out and rinsed my mouth, then I gargled. To say I wasn’t elegant is an understatement. From there I quickly took an antihistamine and hoped that I had been lucky enough to get it all out of my mouth. I announced to the room loudly that Blue Cheese could be fatal to me, so that in the event I passed out  and they called the paramedics, it would be clear of the problem, and could be properly ventilated. I was extremely lucky.

It would appear that I offended someone at the party, and as the expression goes, couldn’t give a rat’s aXXX about their feelings. As they put my life and the lives of others at risk through total ignorance. So to all you readers,  this is a reminder to be extremely careful about planning group meals. Inquire about nuts, peanuts, shellfish and blue cheese. Anyone allergic to mould or Penicillin is violently allergic to blue cheese. If it touches the back of their throat they will choke to death within a few short minutes.

Hallowe’en will be here in a matter of days. Leave out the Peanut butter cups, leave out the candy bars covered in peanuts, and save a life. Children are very careless, and don’t tell the truth when it comes to candy.   Some people I know actually had a child die at their party because one child snuck  peanut butter and chocolate candy In their backpack and then shared it when the parents weren’t around. The child was dead before the paramedics arrived.

Somehow I think having one person’s feelings hurt is preferable to a dead dinner guest or a dead child.

Your thoughts?!!