Food allergy backlash: Use it as motivation

Food Allergy Mama reported on the disappointing online backlash against the news that the Cubs will host a so-called “peanut safe” game on August 30.  While the steps the Cubs are taking are rather tepid (the “safe” zone consists of one skybox and it’s a game between two teams with zero chance of making the playoffs), it’s still a step forward.

It must be difficult for people without food allergies or food allergic relatives to imagine the dangers of food allergies in general, and of food exposure contact in particular.  The issue of food exposure contact reminds me of the topic of second hand smoke.  Back in 1988 when Chicago first passed its ordinance banning smoking indoors, as a non-smoker I welcomed its passing.  While it took addicted smokers a long, long time to respect it, I recall it also took a lot of non-smokers a long time to feel confident enough to speak up about it and demand its enforcement.

Food allergy backlash like this, ignorant though it may be, is merely a signal of just how much more work there is to do to spread awareness.  Food allergy advocates, just take it as a catalyst to keep it up.  The eventual change is inevitable.