In May 2023, 23-year-old Alison Pickering, a student at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, tragically lost her life due to a severepeanut allergyreaction. Alison, who was diligent about her allergy, dined at a familiar restaurant and ordered her usual Mahi-Mahi dish. Unbeknownst to her, the restaurant had altered the recipe to include a peanut-based sauce, a change not reflected on the menu. After consuming a few bites, Alison experienced anaphylactic shock. Despite administering her Epipen and receiving immediate medical attention, she passed away.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the critical importance ofallergen disclosurein the food service industry. Restaurants must ensure that anyrecipe modificationsinvolving common allergens are clearly communicated to patrons. Transparent communication can prevent such tragedies and protect individuals with severe food allergies.

Alison’s parents are advocating for the Texas Sergio Lopez Food Allergy Awareness Act, which aims to mandate allergen safety training for food service staff and improve communication of ingredient changes. Their goal is to prevent future incidents and save lives.People

For more information on food allergy safety and advocacy, visit theFood Allergy Research & Education (FARE)website.

Note: This article is intended to raise awareness about the importance of allergen disclosure in restaurants and does not assign blame to any specific establishment.