The Leonard Lopate Show

My sister is allergic to seafood. She found out on her first date while eating fish! Her throat swelled up and she couldn't breath and had to be rushed off in an ambulance. She was told she could die from eating seafood by the doctors.

She is also allergic to bee stings and has to carry around a kit with her.

Hey please specify which dairy kids are allergic to - probably not raw dairy, probably ultrapasteurized, which is so devoid of content taht you can't even make yogurt from it. I wonder if it can still be called dairy. Our food supply is beyond denatured unless you look for unsprayed, non gmo, additive free...

I don't like this guest - she's not right

My friend is allergic to fruit (all kinds). The area around her mouth would get so red and her lips would be swollen. She's not allergic to Tropicana juices though, which is weird.

My 2-year old niece is allergic to nuts. She had a PB sandwich and got rashes all over her body. She hasn't had any nuts since. She had biscuits that contained nuts before the PB sandwich incident, again, weird.

I'm both glad and fearful to hear this segment. I have a 12-year-old who has a severe allergy to milk products. And I mean severe (I could give details but I want to be brief). All his life I've resented the culture of allergy phobia, because I agree, people are overly indulgent of mild symptoms, which muddies the water when I need to have incisive conversations at restaurants and food markets. I am often met with eye-rolling when I bring the subject up, and I do believe this is related to the over-abundance of phobic complainers. So I'm glad to hear this issue discussed, but I'm also worried about a backlash that would put my son at more risk.

I get the notices from school and camp and daycare: "ours is a nut-free room/camp/school/whatever. Peanut butter is forbidden. If you eat peanut butter at home please brush your teeth and rinse your mouth and wash your hands and hell, just show up in a hazmat suit."

One kid's allergies becomes everyone's problem, it's ridiculous.

I know people who almost died from nuts -

I agree that overreacting to food allergies is a mistake, but Ms. Broussard seems in over her head... Was the original Minnesota data statistically insignificant, or was it inappropriate to extrapolate from that data? And the fact that people grow out of food allergies does not make them somehow less real. I would like to hear what an unbiased immunologist (i.e., one who doesn't have a dog in this fight) has to say on the matter...

A child with a deadly food allergy needs the help of his/her community. Do you want to be responsible for the death of a child because you didn't know about the severity of his/her peanut allergy?

My third child (17 months)--not my first two--is food allergic: peanuts; treenuts; soy; wheat; dairy; sesame; eggs; more! I've seen her react countless times to small amounts of this and that which she got her cute, grubby little hands on. This includes an immediate and strongest-yet reaction to peanut butter. It was a frightening experience.

I agree, nevertheless, that parents (myself included) need to relax. The vast majority of my daughter's reactions she doesn't even notice. I, the mom, do. (Hives, for instance.)I'm getting used to carrying around an epi-pen. After all, people used to carry around rifles so they could fire at attacking wild bears! They'd be cocked and loaded all the time. In light of that, I think I can manage to give my kid a shot and get to a nearby hospital--and teach her to do the same.

Here's my criticism of Broussard's commentary: As far as I know, lots of animal studies are being done to "find a cure." These have been done on mice, dogs, and monkeys--none of whom have smoked pot at a party. Yet, they have reacted in spades to all sorts of foods and have had anaphylactic shock. (True, I don't know if it's the problem-breathing kind.) Lots of the data from Sampson, Sicherer and others comes from these studies.

Like usual, I will try and use my common sense and personal experience as my daughter grows. Hopefully--as Broussard too hopes--she will have a fabulous quality of life!

Once you've seen a two year old's face blow up, eyes become glassy and fixed, gasping for breath and then unable to breathe -- until being given an emergency injection of epinephrine -- once you're seen that, you'll never again think food allergies are all in your head.

A much better article that gives a more accurate picture of what it's like for people who have anaphylaxis to various food allergens -- is one that came out in the NYTimes magazine June 2001:

The Allergy Prison

by Susan Dominus.

Still available online at the Times website.

As a pediatrician, the truth is somewhere in the middle: There are those of us who have horrible, life-threatening allergies, unfortunately wildly unpredictable in their future severity. And there are also those of us who once had deathly allergies and no longer do. Likewise there are allergies that never existed that develop into true anaphylaxis. (I grew up around horses, then lived in the city, and now start wheezing around barns.) There is no simple answer, but that further frustrates matters. Unfortunately, as with most health-related phenomena, it's more case-by-case than broad generalities (admittedly unhelpful, but true).

P.S. One general rule: If there is an atopic (allergic) family history, childhood exposure to allergens tends to promote atopia. Conversely (and this is maddening), if there is little or no atopia in the family, purposeful childhood exposure to allergens tends to DECREASE likelihood of developing allergies. Lovely, ain't it?

Even if the exact statistic of people with food allergies may be incorrect, this reporter seemed too callous to the fact that there are people for whom food allergies are completely serious, deadly conditions. This isn't a conspiracy. This is the truth. In her backlash against worrying parents who may imagine allergies that do not exist (certainly a problem, though a lesser one), this reporter goes too far in condemning groups like the Food Allergy Network. FAN and Dr. Sampson do not represent a well-funded sinister cabal out to scare us. They are trying to save lives. The reporter seemed to criticize them for lobbying for legislation to have better labeling on food packaging. What's wrong with that? For someone with a serious allergy, that label could be a life saver. For the rest of us, its a minor inconvenience.

Just because you may have been inconvenienced by allergy restrictions applied in your child's school or some other setting, do not belittle those who live with the very real threat allergies can present. Growing up in a home with a relative who has a severe allergy, I can an assure you that this is no laughing matter. If you want to talk about being inconvenienced by an allergy, talk to me, talk to my relative.

WNYC needs to put a respected doctor on air to respond to this segment and clear up the misconceptions that this reporter has been spreading.

I developed severe food allergies in my late 20s, and was not aware of it until the first time went to the ER with anaphylaxis. (You can grow INTO allergies, as well as out of them!) I since have had severe reactions to other foods, and must always carry an epipen. I ate every kind of food prior to my first reaction, and also used to think that food allergies were hyped up too much. I think it's really dangerous that you are spreading the word that the danger of food allergies is being exaggerated--it's really no small matter and people need to be aware of it.

Rachel, thank you for adhering to what you call "ridiculous" policies. I can't say I have ever heard a policy where there is teeth brushing involved.... that's a first and a bit too much in my book.

On the other hand, I am guessing that if your child had a severe nut allergy you'd be the first in rallying for the "no peanut" rule. As a parent of a child allergic to nuts, I would rather people play it safe than take the risk of my daughter going into anaphylactic shock. The risk may be small to some but it is HUGE to me.

In addition: Why would someone choose to trivialize something that may cause a child death?

Nste, you made some excellent points. The reporter can also speak to the mother whose child died from eating a peanut butter cookie at a birthday party, by the time she arrived at the ER it was too late. Not an urban myth...fact.

If we didn't have organizations like FAAN educating the public about anaphylaxis and allergies, we'd be hearing about many more deaths. Ms. Broussard, please supply the information on how many peoples lives have been saved by their epi pens. You failed to mention this very important piece of information!!

I am so relieved to read all the emails supporting taking food allergies seriously. My son has a nut allergy that was discovered after he ate a tiny taste of a cashew that landed him in the ER and subsequently has led to Epipen Jr., and benedryl as a staple in the house, school, car, and eventually in the backpack. It is important not to trivialize the necessity to take all food allergies seriously. Kids need to be educated to always ask what is in all food they eat with or without parents there and be aware of their warning signs. It is a difference between life and death. That's it. Since there is no way to become desensitized to food allergies it is foolish not to take the risk seriously and avoid any dangers to our own children and all children (and adults).

It is a sad day for journalism that NPR broadcast this unsubstantiated conspiracy theory without questioning credibility of Ms. Broussard's assertions. For me, NPR remains one of the last bastions of quality journalism amidst the world of TV news, where sensationalism trumps informed journalism.

NPR's report follows along the same trend as TV journalism, where people with only a superficial knowledge of a topic can pose as authorities, and their assertions remain not only unquestioned, but they are asked by interviewers like Lopate to hold forth on topics far past their expertise.

I truly hope NPR will allow equal air-time for someone to respond to Ms. Broussard's claims and set the record straight on food allergy. It is unfair to blindly tarnish the reputations of not-for-profit organizations, like FAAN, that serve those with disabilities.

Thanks to Amy for pointing out that very interesting article,

I second "Mom to Allergic Child" -

The pivotal fact that Ms. Broussard omitted is that the number of children WITH allergies is on an EXPONENTIAL rise - as is the number of children with asthma. It is because of organizations such as FAAN and doctors such as Sampson that there is a greater awareness, and that people with allergies are prepared for reactions, resulting in a declining death rate. These organizations should be applauded, not trashed.

Life is hard enough with a food allergy - especially as a child. Accurate food labeling and allergen-free lunch tables allow children to eat socially with their friends.

My name is Scott Sicherer. I am a pediatric allergist and researcher (government and private funded) specializing in food allergy. I am co-author on most of the studies that Ms. Broussard "quotes" in her Harpers article where she implies conspiracy and trivializes this significant medical problem. I am also a volunteer medical advisor to FAAN, an organization that she mocks but is, in my view, a non-profit that has clearly increased safety for those who suffer from this medical illness. I mention these points because by Ms. Broussard's reasoning these personal involvements would probably disqualify me from discussing food allergy (e.g., conspiracy to exagerate). Apparently, NPR also sees some odd virtue in having a non-medical expert journalist be a spokesperson for health issues. I have never "posted" to sites like this and I am a bit reluctant to draw any additional attention to Ms. Broussard's hurtful, confused and potentially dangerous comments, but I was obviously compelled to do so...It is easy to play "debate team" with any topic but here it has become irresponsible and, indeed, potentially dangerous. I am glad to see so many listeners have spoken up on their disappointment and made important points that I will not reiterate. I would be pleased to provide actual evidence-based educational information about food allergy on this "show"--but maybe that is too uninteresting for the media? I hope that is not the case.

I would like to know how many children are really at risk for severe allergic reaction, and how many are just getting a hive and then forced to sit at the "peanut table". I know these things can be serious in a few cases, but I really doubt that all the cases are that serious. Also, why does no one address the fact that these allergies now seem epidemic among children, whereas in my youth you rarely heard of a food allergy. I knew ONE kid my entire childhood who carried a "bee kit". If all these allergies are as real as people seem to think they are, then you'd think we'd be addressing the environmental, prenatal, genetic, causes for the radical shift in the health of the population. I agree, Ms. Broussard was a weak guest, but I think some of what she points to is totally valid. Fear, Hype, Agenda.

I do not understand why NPR allowed this woman to be on the show. I have a child that reacts to 'may contain tree nuts'. In fact, my daughter has multiple life-threatening food allergies. I would love to hear FAAN's response to Ms. Broussard's lip-smacking rant. She talks about false positives, but what about false negatives in allergy testing? What do you hope to gain from all this Ms. Broussard? There is nothing wrong with educating people, but don't pass off assumptions as fact. Your assumptions are NOT fact.

Maybe the true conspiracy is the author's attempt to stir up controversy in order to boost sales of this magazine.... just my $.02.... (I refuse to get riled up over such stupidity...)

I am extraordinarily disappointed in both Harper's and NPR for providing a voice for Ms. Broussard's irresponsible and dangerous statements. She puts food-allergic children at risk by trivializing the scientific community and by making parents of food-allergic children seem like alarmists.

Ms. Broussard may not be able to have her martini but my four-year-old is allergic to 14 foods. It is my job as a parent to make sure that those around him understand the severity of food allergies. My job would be all that much more difficult without the support of the scientific community, FAAN and our Epi-pens, all of which Ms. Broussard finds some reason to dismiss. As a parent of a food-allergic child I am grateful for each of them.

My name is Jonathan Spergel. I am a pediatric allergist-immunologist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I specialize in food allergy. I am not affiliated with Dr. Sampson or FAAN. Dr. Sampson and FAAN have done excellent work in the area of food allergies and brought much information and progress into the field and their work should be appreciated.

Ms. Broussard's information is 1/2 correct. The facts are:

1) Food allergies are on rise.

2) Food allergies can be serious and life-threatening.

3) There are other published articles on the rate of food anaphylaxis beside Dr. Sampson's articles with similar results.

4) The most common reaction according to Dr. Sampson in school is milk, not peanut, which Ms. Broussard is correct.

5) But, the most common cause of severe reaction is peanut and tree nuts. But, you can get a severe reaction from any food.

I am a mother of a 7 year old son with life threatening peanut & tree nut allergies. I was appalled by this interview. We have lived with these allergies for 4 years now and have come to learn that most people do not understand them but for someone who has food allergies herself, you think she would. The comments that she made about FAAN as well were ridiculous. I will be emailing Harpers as well to let them my thoughts/feelings. I am trying very hard not to get upset, since Ms. Broussard is not worth it and I promised myself for 2008 that I wouldn't waste energy on people like this year!

This is a response to Joan.

Joan a person could have a small reaction to an allergen in one instance, and then have a life threatening reaction in another instance to the same allergen. Hence, the need for the epi-pen at all times.

I just wanted to highlight a point from Dr. Spergel's comment.

While there may be more people who are allergic to milk than nuts, the reason there are no milk-free schools or tables is that there are more SEVERE reactions to nuts than milk. Some people can react to nuts that are airborne, which is also why the new food labeling laws are so important.

This is an important cause to fight, and Ms. Broussard has done nothing to improve our safety.

Why would Mrs. Broussard write an article potentially hindering the lives of children? And why would NPR allow her to voice her ridiculous opinion without an expert to challenge her facts?

NPR needs to have another show to balance this issue.

Thank you Mrs. Broussard for making this situation MORE difficult for all of us trying to keep our children safe.

I am terribly appauled and disappointed that a magazine and radio show that prides itself on being reputable would give voice to this woman.

She is a journalist not a physican and obviously no where near an expert on food allergies. I am a mother of an allergic child, her article and opinions are dangerous and irresponsible.

Shame on NPR! NPR has indulged Broussard in her reckless attempt to trivialize a significant health issue, discredit those with authority on the subject of food allergies and anaphylaxis, and deride children and families affected by this condition. NPR has betrayed its responsibility to its listeners by airing this segment. Broussard writes about pop culture and romance. She has edited two anthologies of strange and true stories about love gone wrong. Her credentials might qualify her to write dime novels, but not to discuss serious medical issues. She is not qualified to interpret the data she stutters over in this segment, and the opinions she expresses on NPR and in her recent Harpers article are ignorant and insensitive. That Lopate has joined her in mocking a potentially life-threatening medical condition, at the expense of those affected, is truly odious.

NPR, all of your listeners deserve an apology, and they deserve better information. Please accept Dr. Scott Sicherer’s offer to be interviewed on your program to undo the damage done by this segment.

This is simply horrible. How can someone minimize the potentially lethal effects of foods on kids? You are a horrible, horrible station to give this interview. This is a horrible person. We had a child almost die from ingesting dairy. While not all kids are allergic to food, and even if it's overblown, so what!!!!!!! Isn't it better to be safe. Saying that it's in the self-interest of FAAN or whatever it is to promote labeling on products is just stupid. What is wrong with better labeling? Isn't it better to know what is contained in our food that not? The smugness of the interviewer is truly, truly obnoxious. Oh, it's so overblown these allergies. And so what if the rate has been increasing, decreasing, or staying the same. There is a problem and if we don't deal with it, some kids will die. I'd like to know just what the author knows about statistical significance. What's not statistically significant -- the likelihood of having allergies or is it our ability to generalize the results because of the sampling.

I listen to NPR all the time and now I will always have to wonder if the guests are really experts on the issues at hand. In this case, Ms. Broussard only told half the story...very sad.

You know what I'm so tired of? People who think it's o.k. to bash the parents of children with medical conditions. Even worse are the people who make money off of them writing inflammatory articles.

I realize that it's fun to pick on overprotective parents. Belittling allergies and asthma (and the parents who deal with them) seems to be one of the last prejudices that is allowable in our society. The image of the delicate, nerdy child and overprotective mother still saturates the popular culture.

Thanks for making my life just that much harder with this irresponsible piece.

I'm shocked that NPR would pick up this story without providing some balance by a medical professional or at least a parent or an adult who is really dealing every day with life-threatening allergies.

The statistics for increasing food allergy may be weak but you can interview dozens of allergists from across the country who are seeing more and more children who have food allergies.

If that was "only" due to awareness, then why do these children have more allergies and why are they taking even longer to outgrow their allergies?

Consider hosting one of the parents who have lost a child to food allergies--

Chris Clements--one bite of a piece of chocolate with hazelnut.

Emily Vondermeulen--sandwich cross contaminated with peanut.

Sabrina Shannon--french fries contaminated with dairy

Nathan Walters--peanutbutter cookie on a field trip.

Children and adults die from food allergies.

It is not common but when a reaction starts there is no way to predict its outcome. So these parents and children must stay vigilant.

That's no exaggeration.

Ms. Broussard, have you ever had to ride with your child in an ambulance after having an allergic reaction? Until you do, or until you receive a degree in medicine, you have no right to comment on this subject.

My child is allergic to over 25 foods. Do most of these reactions cause anaphylaxis? No. Do some of these foods cause anaphylaxis? Absolutely.

You ask why there are no milk free tables at school... does milk stick to ones skin like peanut butter? Think about 100 grade schoolers in a lunch room eating peanut butter sandwiches --the stuff sticks everywhere. My son had his first anaphylactic reaction in a grocery store due to sticky peanut butter. (Yes, my son is one of those who is scared of the grocery store.) There was peanut butter in the cart which he touched and transferred to his mouth.

People who don't understand food allergies have never experienced what one goes through during a reaction. You talk about the number of people who died last year from food allergies. What about the thousands who were saved from their Epipen shot? Didn't hear you discuss that at all...

Thank you for this insightful interview. Ms. Broussard may be interested in the funding ties behind some of the doctors and organizations mentioned on your show which is highlighted at www.alllergykids.com.

At Allergykids, our recent appearances on the CBS Early Show and CNN also address some of the same issues mentioned on your show.

Updated statistics are available at www.allergykids.com including statistics that are not available at other food allergy organizations funded by the pharmaceutical and junk food industries.

Your comments that FAAN is blowing the rise of food allergies into epidemic proportions is ridiculous. When I was in elementary school I knew of no one with food allergies. In my son's kindergarten class I know of 6 children in his class of 26 kids that have food allergies. I know these parents and the stress they go through sending their child to school. This is not a made up allergy.

simply uneducated.

There ARE milk-free tables. Even milk-free CLASSROOMS, such as my son's, from kindergarten to sixth grade. He entered kindergarten almost 20 years ago and was the first kid with severe food-allergy in our town, but there have been several others since. He had reactions even to airborne milk or touching objects that had been touched by someone who had touched a dairy product. He had lunch at home on pizza day because the smell of pizza permeated the school. On other days, he ate with a friend or two in his milk-free classroom or library.

Classmates had dairy products elsewhere: lunchroom, playground. When they came back in the classroom, they used wash n’ dris to wipe their hands. The school was wonderful about this. So were the kids and parents. Only one boy complained in all those years.

If the school hadn’t done this, we would have had to home-school him and his classmates would have missed out on a great chance to learn empathy. Not a bad trade off: fewer cheese doodles — more empathy.

As a mother of a three year old who is allergic to peanuts, treenuts, legumes and eggs, I am, like many other parents, infuriated by both Broussard's article and this interview. I strongly believe that she has trivalized the severity of food allergies by her article. If she witnesses a child nearly choking to death from an anaphylaxtic reaction to eggs, as I have on two occassions, she would likely change her tune quickly.

However, her article and her accompanying interview on NPR do point out some major loopholes in our medical field regarding food allergies that should be explored further:

1) If the FAAN statistics are accurate, they should publish or at least cite the source(s) of their statistics. Their website at least doesn't do that.

2)The food allergy tests are old and antiquated. They do not tell us how allergic a child is, and only test for major allergens, not everything.

3) We are far from knowing the root cause of the exponential rise of food allergies in children. FAAN is the biggest advocate and contibutor to finding the root cause and cure, but it seems to me that the drug companies and universities are not interested in studying the cause or finding a cure.

I hope that the one positive from Ms. Broussard's article is for the entire community to examine the above three points to strengthen and educate the public on food allergies.

Ms. Broussard is uninformed and dangerous!!!! I can not even believe Harper's Magazine permitted her idiotic article to be published and that she was given radio air time to speak her dribble. This is irresposible and dangerous to people with life-threatening food allergies. It only takes looking into the face of your own child as you're injecting them with an Epipen, as thier blood pressure is dropping in cardiac distress, to understand how (yes Meredith) just one bite can take your child to the brink of life and death. You pray that you recognized the symptoms in time and that you injected your child before that point of no return that exists in an anaphylactic reaction. Ms. Broussard, get yourself educated with the facts. I am grateful for organizations like FAAN, FAI and allergists who help educate parents about sympton recognition and prompt response with Epinephrine. Had I not been properly educated my son may have died.

NPR, I question your judgement in giving voice to an obviously unqualified spokesperson, clearly an exercise in irresponsibility on your part. One would think that her background in "creative writing" would have given you pause....

The only way you can resurrect your reputation is to host a qualified medical expert on the show who can set the record straight.

In the meantime, I sincerely hope that listeners do not further jeopardize the safety of food allergic children or adults due to the misleading and false information that was provided via your show.

Food allergies are real and they kill.

Thank you to FAAN and to those physicians specializing in food allergies, as well as to those researchers around the world who are working hard to crack the mystery of food allergy in order to find a cure. We appreciate you more than you can ever know.

I read Broussard's article. She opens with “Of little concern to most parents or educators only a generation ago, food allergies are now seen as a childhood epidemic.” You can’t negate the existence of a problem on the premise that it wasn’t as serious 30 or 40 years ago. There are a lot of problems in this world that weren't as bad 30-40 years ago, such as cancer, asthma and AIDS. It's a sad fact that the average American ingests a lot more chemically processed and genetically/hormonally altered foods that we did 40 years ago. So is it any wonder that immunological disorders are on the rise? There have also been a lot of advances in the diagnosis of allergies and a raised awareness: A child who was labeled as having a “delicate constitution” in the 60s might just have been sick all the time from being forced to drink all of his/her milk in the cafeteria at school.

Broussard seems to be on of those typical “if I can’t see it, it must not be real” judgmental types: She probably doesn’t believe that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon because she’s never met an astronaut, or that the Holocaust actually happened because she’s never met a concentration camp survivor. And she’s probably never heard the saying “Never criticize someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes”…

I cannot believe that such irresponsible journalism is tolerated at NPR. Public radio has been my safe haven from the quacks on main stream media. This is clearly not "excellent radio programming", but misinformed. I encourage other readers/listeners to contact the station and let your thoughts be known at (212) 669-3333 or email them at listenerservices@wnyc.org

I can only hope that this misinformation does not contribute to the death of a person suffering from any type of allergy. This is a big set back to the correct proliferation of information on allergies in general.

I will say one thing...this has cured me of ANY urge to dial the phone during pledge drives.

I have been a good supporter of NPR over the years, but there is no excuse for this type of irresponsibility. I encourage everyone posting in this thread to vote with their wallets as well.

There's a huge difference between reporting an opinion listeners do not want to hear and reporting one that is wrong and dangerous. I certainly can't give my money to an organization who cannot make that distinction.

Just when parents of allergies feel they're taking one step forward,

an uneducated person like this starts talking...

two steps back.

As so many others have urged, please follow up this damaging interview with one in which *qualified*, *informed*, and *experienced* professionals can respond. There are many good points that could have been raised or examined in this interview that were neglected.

I would have been chortling right alongside Ms. Broussard 7 years ago, before my daughter was born and before the 3 life-threatening reactions she experienced. If you interview people living the allergic life you will probably find two camps: the terrified overprotective types, and the casual, shrug the shoulders types, like Ms. Broussard. Ask them how many times they've been to the ER over their allergies, and you will understand what makes the difference.

Rachel:

"One kid's allergies becomes everyone's problem, it's ridiculous."

If that one child were to just go ahead and die from their ridiculous allergy would that make life all better for you.

Hand washing and oral hygiene are a lot to ask. Hope you can wake up another day to bear that amazing burden.

Your instant expert on food allergies, Meredith Broussard, neglected to mention the recommendations of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology on Anaphylaxis in schools and other child-care settings. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s advocacy efforts are not the product of some pharmaceutical conspiracy; they are based on current medical research. Parents who follow these recommendations are not “hysterical” or over-protective; they are responsible parents who are following respected medical advice. Giving Meredith Broussard (who has no medical qualifications whatsoever) the opportunity to voice her opinions as fact is detrimental to the safety of children with life-threatening food allergies. Harper’s Magazine and NPR need to correct the situation immediately by allowing real experts on food allergies to speak on behalf of those they are working to protect.

NPR, as a fan of your station for many years, I am simply appalled that this type of interview aired on your show. I live in Singapore and hearing this all across the world not only baffles me, but makes me angry to hear such callous ramblings of a non-medical journalist (who happens to 'suffer' from food allergies herself: vermouth.) For those who have never dealt with food allergies, hearing this piece only makes them trivialize the seriousness of food allergies in our kids. I sincerely hope that NPR, you will conduct a follow-up interview on this topic with someone who has TRULY dealt with TRUE food allergies and publicize just HOW HARD it is to deal with a child's hidden, chronic, life-threatening condition. As parents, we can only hope journalists like Ms. Broussard will find a heart that can make her somewhat compassionate for those who are less fortunate than her.

If you are interested in interviewing a parent who has been to the ER with a child in anaphylaxis, please call me. A theme of the response letters seems to be that we were all skeptics until it happened to us. We may not understand what is going on with the rise in food allergies, but too many people have had the same experience of anaphylaxis that we had.

I am a personable, highly educated, working mother. I have a demanding job as a legislative policy expert. My life is very full and not dominated by an obsession with my child. I don't use antibacterial wipe on every surface, and I let my kid pee in public toilets. In short, I fit no stereotype of the overbearing or overprotective mother. However, I watched my daughter go into anaphlyaxis once, and frankly that was enough. Food is no less deadly to my child than a bullet would be. I hardly think I woudl be subject to attack by half-baked "journalism" if I were to state my goal of keeping my child out of a gunfire zone.

Harpers Magazine is purposely making controversial statements to drum up some pr buzz, because they are an old, irrelevant magazine. Their other desparate, despicable attempts include suggesting that we play an amusing parlor game called Nazi. I'm serious, it's on their home page.

We should just ignore them, their ridiculous ploys for attention are as bad as a toddler spilling soup on purpose.

WNYC's mission statement is "Mission Statement

As a flagship station of the American public radio network, WNYC, New York Public Radio's mission is: "To make the mind more curious, the heart more tolerant and the spirit more joyful through excellent radio programming that is deeply rooted in New York." ". I think they failed to hit the mark with this broadcast.

It is wonderful that so many people are commenting on it, but the point is not that this one journalist has an odd outlook. The issue is that she was given so much free air time with no balanced, opposing view.

It is scary that someone can dish out such tripe as fact and some people will believe her. It is a reminder that not everyone (even those with food allergies as she is quick to point out she has)gets it. Please don't do me the favour of "informing others" for me.

My main question is, "WNYC, what were you thinking and how do you justify this broadcast given your mission statement?".

I don't understand the intentions of Meredith B. Is she trying to pick a bone w/ FAAN? Of course FAAN became the place people knowledgeable reporters go to since they have experts they can interview! One would go to the Epilepsy Foundation as a resource if they had questions about Epilepsy, wouldn't they? Did she want people with food allergies to come to her, especially since of her allergy to vermouth? Why would you want children with severe food allergies not to carry Epi-pens just in case? Anxiety level wise~it's like having band-aids or TUMS in my purse. I don't care how many children died statistically. All I care about is protecting my son's life for that "just in case moment" that may or may not happen. It's about being prepared and being safe rather than sorry. Usually, being prepared makes one less anxious.

After reading her blog containing the title failed realtionships(what?), I am baffled why one would make her an expert on food allergies and take her article as fact ~ because she has food allergies herself, like to vermouth? How common is that allergen? Do they have vermouth in foods?

We can not ignore this. We need to use this as a springboard for discussion and raise even more awareness, or apparently anyone can write an article nowadays and become an expert! I hope it is only a publicity stunt, but if that is the case, then I will NEVER buy Harper's or listen to NPR radio again since they use unqualified guests/reporters.

"I don't understand the intentions of Meredith B."

Her intentions are simple: she intends to sell books. She doesn't care if people die as long as she makes a buck.

I understand that there are people in the world like her - more of them every day with our toxic culture. However, I'm appaled that NPR - a source I trusted - let this report air without checking out the facts.

Vote with your pocketbook. If integrity no longer matters to NPR, perhaps money will.

Broussard has touched a nerve. The problem is that parents of children with REAL severe food allergies (myslef included - I’ve been to the ER twice with my dairy-allergic son) already have to fight so much negative perception that when people like Broussard reenforce the popular notion that it’s all a bunch of neurotic parents, we have an even harder struggle cutting through the noise.

It comes down to this. Some people are neurotic about food by choice. Parents of food-allergic kids are neurotic about food out of necessity.

It sucks for us that the people who are neurotic about food by choice just make us look even worse.

It sucks even worse when people like Broussard stoke the flames of the backlash against us. Our lives are hard enough as it is.

I just think that people like Broussard should be more sensitive to the people with REAL allergies. Maybe it’s true that there’s some general hysteria about allergies. But this topic should just be handled with a little more compassion. As you can plainly see, the people that have to deal with real allergies get very emotional about this and for good reason.

And by the way. Vermouth? Please. Try dealing with a severe milk allergy for a 2-year old. It is SUCH a pain in the ass. And it's VERY real.

Broussard - the bottom line is you come off as very callous.

What a travesty that NPR would give voice to such an irresponsible, self-serving non-scientist! Since when is it acceptable to present an "expert" on failed relationships to speak authoritatively about a medical condition? And shame on you, Leonard Lopate, for asking her about appropriate treatments! I'd rather you ask the local green grocer about how to fix a transmission - At least no one's safety would be jeopardized by your journalistic irresponsibility.

I don't even understand the point of this?? This woman is flippant, under educated, and dangerous to our children and the allergic community at large. She should stick to her fluff pieces and leave science to experts... NPR should be ashamed...

The portrayal of food allergies and families that live with them as overreactive is wrong and dangerous, a more important issue to expose is the lack of info and research. This IS happening food allergies ARE on the rise, rather than condemning those that are working for answers and information why not advocate for more research.

My 15 month old son did NOT ingest the tahini (sesame) that almost killed him, and with paramedics there as witnesses his epi-pen saved his life.

In the Broussard's [i}Harper's{/i] writes that "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in its most up-to-date figures, recorded only 12 deaths from food allergies in 2004."

The CDC's website says differently (http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/healthtopics/index.htm ):

[i]Food allergies are an abnormal immune response to certain foods that the body reacts to as harmful. Each year food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths. The best method for managing food allergies is prevention by avoiding any foods that trigger a reaction.[/i]

I'm disappointed that NPR airs Broussard's unfounded and science-free charges without doing any research, but it's their typical method for political debate, so it doesn't surprise me.

Views like hers are absolutely based on pure ignorance. Who cares about the statistics! My 7 year old went into shock 3 times from milk. He was lucky to have his meds in time and get treatment from a hospital immediately. Scariest moments of my life. Have you ever read Sabrina's story from Ontario, Canada? I went into shock twice from fish as an adult. My throat closed up. Felt like someone forced broken glass down my throat. The epi pen saved my life! My son has an aid at school because he has reactions even from touch and inhalation (under the 504 plan). I started a support group in Long Island with over 160 Members. It is a non-profit. Google our site: Protect Allergic Kids.

I am absolutely appalled that 15 + minutes of airtime were devoted to this drivel. I can only hope that you will devote an equal amount of time to credible medical experts who can balance this nonsense with fact.

With regard to false positives on allergy tests, if Ms. Broussard were the expert that she represents herself to be, she'd know that credible diagnoses are not made on test results alone, but on personal history in combination with testing. I'd say that a positive test result in combination with a child who presents with widespread hives, facial swelling, coughing and wheezing is pretty definitive, wouldn't you? Or is that a figment of my imagination which was whipped into a frenzy by FAAN for their financial benefit?

In discussing the definitive test, an oral challenge, Mr. Lopate's glib comment about not knowing for sure until a child drops prostrate on the ground was disgusting - one step away from Don Imus's famous comment. He owes all of us parents a huge apology. How vile.

Finally, I'd like Ms. Broussard and a fact-checker at NPR to Google some of the following names - Sabrina Shannon, Nathan Walters, Joshua Ramirez, Mariya Spektor, William Gallagher, Thomas Egan, Trent Hankins, Emily Vander Meulen among others. This piece is disrespectful to their families, and an insult to their memories.

Shame on NPR and Harper's.

As a parent of a highly allergic 3 year old I sat listening to this interview wondering why a journalist was giving medical opinions. My son has had three anaphylactic reacions and yes, one bite was all it took before his wheezing started. In one reaction he touched cheese and had to go to the hospital. Until you see an allergic reaction happen you may think it necessary to trivilaize it but for thousands of people our lives are a daily struggle. We need support of schools and day care centers and churches and grocery stores. All Ms. Brossard has done is make our lives more difficult. What I have to do on a daily basis to make sure my son does not die is not an exaggeration. Please stop giving a voice to people whose lack of knowledge and understanding could cause serious harm to others.

Vermouth allergy! Who ever heard of that? There is more than one ingredient in vermouth. Was she diagnosed by a legitimate allergist? What kind of tests did they do? Perhaps she drank too many glasses, got sick, and now she is just paranoid.

Here is a statistic that I pulled from familydoctor.org.

"Fact: Although 25 percent of people think they're allergic to certain foods, studies show that about only 8 percent of children and 2 percent of adults have a food allergy."

In other words, there are more than two idiots who think they have an allergy for everyone one person who really does. These other folks might have a sensitivity or intolerance. The best thing they can do for themselves is see a specialist, the best thing they can do for the rest of the world is to not talk about allergies when they don't know the first thing about them!

Perhaps someone in town would like to as the CAB why this got air-play?

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Joan, comment #24:

Scientists are trying to determine why the incidence of food allergy is skyrocketing. They don’t know yet. If you don’t mind, can we keep my kid alive while they investigate?

If my child had been born in 1894 instead of in 1994, she would have died. Thus, she would not have reproduced the crappy genetics that have given her multiple food allergies and eosinophilic esophagitis. She would have been labeled "sickly", she would have died young, and no one would know why.

Sorry to upset your applecart by having my child live. I can tell you she's a terrific organizer, she loves to play piano, read, and cuddle her cat. She loves earrings, and High School Musical.

She also can't eat wheat, dairy, soy, peanut/treenut, fish/shellfish, peas or beans, or any meat other than poultry.

She's a great kid -- and if you eat peanuts next to her, she stops breathing.

Nathan Walters. Kristina Kastner. Sabrina Shannon. Prasad Gajare. Alex Baptist. Chantelle Yambao. These are just a few of the names of children who have died of anaphylactic food allergy within the past few years. You can see an extensive list at http://kidswithfoodallergies.org/eve/forums?a=tpc&f=2540057262&m=3300046464&r=2350042305#2350042305. I’m sure all their parents apologize for the inconvenience the restrictions their children’s allergies put upon the rest of us.

We honor those who have died from anaphylaxis by caring for, not deriding, those living with it.

A "journalist" should get all her facts correct before writing an article as damaging as Everyone's Gone Nuts". I have a child with a TRUE food allergy to nuts and peanuts. I have tirelessly worked to educate peers, schools, etc. that my son's allergies are life threatening - not a mere rash or stuffy nose - he will stop breathing - PERIOD. Thankfully, there are more intelligent articles on food allergies out there written by qualified people to counterbalance your worthless journalistic contribution. Get in touch with some real professionals on the subject before you do any further damage or God Forbid - become the reason another child loses their life to food allergies. By the way, I find it interesting you leave no way to be contacted about this joke of an article!

Maureen

Atlanta, GA

Moededoe@aol.com

I found Ms. Broussard's comments without much merit. As a parent of a food allergic/anaphylactic/asthmatic child, we have spent the last 18yrs. trying to convince schools,teachers, friends, relatives, that our daughter's condition is real and potentially lethal. We have the ER records to document this. Regarding research, certainly more is needed and studies do need to be replicated. By any measure, funding from NIH for allergy/asthma is inadequate. A parent's biggest fear is the death of their child. Parent's of children with severe food allergies have to face that fear on a daily basis. It is true that some parent's may overreact to this condition. It is also true that some individual's ( like Ms. Broussard) use denial to minimize a potentially lethal condition. I found her rambling 15 minute "interview" puzzling. What is her motivation for this? I don't see how her comments help keep food allergic children safe. Note to self-never donate to NPR for the rest of your life.

Thank you all for your comments. In order to provide another perspective on this important health issue, we are planning an interview with Dr. Hugh Sampson from Mount Sinai's Department of Allergy and Immunology.

The segment will be scheduled for later in January, and we hope that you tune in and contribute to that segment.

Thank you. Will you please post the date and time of the interview with Dr. Sampson in advance?

The Lopate Show responds: Yes, as soon as we can.

I can not believe what I just listened to. I can't believe a radio program would allow someone without a medical backround spew off statistics and theories like that I have a son that is allergic to peanuts and what I have learned is that every case is different. Just because this lady has an allegy to Vermouth (what???) it does not make her an expert on food allegies. I am happy to see you are bringing in a doctor to give his perspective. Maybe you can get some real facts reported.

I found this interview entirely unprofessional and am shocked that it was even put on the air. I can find nothing in Ms. Broussard's background to even remotely suggest that she has any scientific or medical background to analyze the statistics and research on food allergies, but I guess that wouldn't matter anyway because according to her the entirely food allergy research community is part of a vast conspiracy to research food allergies. I was also offended by Mr. Leopate's comment about how you'd know your child had outgrown the allergy if they snuck a piece of potato chip and didn't fall on the floor. Shame on you, Mr. Leopate, for attempting to dismiss a life-threatening medical condition as a joke.

I will never donate to NPR again, and I must say that this incident makes me question the integrity of NPR reporting standards.

What a bunch of hogwash. Try parenting a child who breaks out in hives with an accidental taste of milk, egg, peanuts or tree nuts. Try rushing your child to the ER because he has accidentally eaten a miniscule amount of peanut butter.

Walk a mile carrying our epi-pen pack and then tell me it's overblown.

Meredith makes my blood boil. She thinks she has first hand experience and maybe she does on a low level, but she knows nothing of severe food allergies.

My husband and I are big fans of NPR, but don't look to us to contribute money in your next fundraising campaign. I'm giving my contributions to FAAN. That's an organization that does good.

My son was diagnosed with food allergies when he was 9 mos old, after three near fatal reactions. Our pediatriciation said "don't feed him milk", so I fed my son a teething bicuit only to see him react once again. The bicuit had milk in it. Who knew? Not me.

The allergist diagnosed my son after listening to his history and doing skin and blood tests which confirmed his milk allergy. He told me to check out FAAN for more information about managing food allergies but I didn't for nearly a year. I cried the day I finally visited their website and saw the wealth of information and support they provide to families like mine.

I don't know what the journalist's beef is with FAAN or the doctors on their advisory panel, but shame on her for putting down one of the only groups and the few doctors who are actually trying to find a way to keep my child safe, a that maybe won't require an epi pen when he accidentally ingests something containing milk.

Food allergies are real. My son has been to the ER for severe reactions at least 4 times in his almost 7 years of life.

I expect better from NPR.

The Leonard Lopate show posted:

"In order to provide another perspective on this important health issue, we are planning an interview with Dr. Hugh Sampson from Mount Sinai's Department of Allergy and Immunology."

I am glad you are planning to interview Dr. Sampson. He deserves the opportunity to respond to Ms. Broussard's accusation of "conspiracy" to exaggerate food allergies.

The information provided by Dr. Sampson will not be merely "another perspective", however. This wording implies that the "perspective" of highly trained, nationally respected scientist and physician is equal to the "perspective" of a writer on this topic. I don't think so!

Ms. Broussard needs to issue a retraction and the real experts need the opportunity to provide the public with the facts.

Dr. Hugh Sampson will be a guest on the show on Thursday, January 31 at 12:40 pm.

We hope that you will listen and contribute your thoughts.

Thank-you for bringing on Dr. Sampson! Could you please ask him to comment on Mrs. Broussard's opening statement that you must "eat" the food to have an allergic reaction. (My daughter has had some serious reactions after accidently touching an allergen and getting it in her eye.)

Mrs. Broussard also implies that when the media reports "One bite could trigger a disaster." that they are exaggerating. She says, "It's the kind of thing we love to tell each other." I'm sure the doctor will agree that she has made a very dangerous statement because, YES, one bite can trigger a disaster!

Post #69, Amy, You took the words out of my mouth. Go Amy!! Go Amy!!

Ms Broussard's ignorant and unfounded attack on the non-profit FAAN is mystifying. That organization was a godsend to me when my twins were diagnosed with severe peanut and tree nut allergies. 7 years later, they are still a valuable resource for my family. Broussard accuses FAAN of making parents paranoid. On the contrary, thanks to FAAN, I don't have to be paranoid because I'm educated.

Shame on NPR and Lopate for allowing a fiction writer to pose as a medical expert.

I had been hearing about this article and interview for the last few weeks - WOW - I am shocked that a "respectable",from what I have read, media outlet would give airtime to a journalist with an opinion and an opinion only on this very serious medical condition. In my view, the NPR took a risk that has damaged your credibility and most likely your fundraising in the future. By airing this inexperienced person's view point as fact, you have caused your listeners to question all future "expert guests". I hope this incident will cause you to reevaluate who and in what capacity you book your guests.

Shame on NPR and Harper's for encouraging the irresponsible, inflammatory and damaging ravings of Meredith Broussard. This woman wouldn't know a food allergy from flatulence. I suppose next she's going to become an expert on lymphoma and try to convince us that breast cancer is a conspiracy between the American Cancer Society and the makers of mammography equipment. I hope the people at Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network wage a fat, juicy lawsuit against this insipid twit, her publisher and your station.

It is with deepest gratitude that I thank you for this broadcast.

How could I have been such a fool?!

How enlightened I am to now know that NPR stands for "Non Professional Radio".

Merci beaucoup.

As a parent to a child with severe allergies to milk, eggs, and peanuts, I find this report to be deeply troubling. If the average person understood what it is like to live with this, they would never begrudge washing their hands or making small concessions for those who suffer from food allergies. My daughter is only 2 years old, but I fear this will be even harder to manage and tolerate as she grows up. Please don't let this woman's uneducated opinion influence your respect or consideration for these people with food allergies. I am shocked that this woman was on NPR. It seems there are no longer any reliable or unbiased news sources to be found.

I'm confused. Exactly who was under the incorrect assumption that as an expert on failed relationships (see Broussard's blog on failedrelationships.com), that also included dysfunctional relationships with food? Did she EpiPen her way back from some suffocating love affair & that's her qualification to speak as representative to food allergy & anaphylaxis? I swear, it just shows how little the public (as evidenced by NPR programmers) knows of this issue, that Broussard would be held up as a legit voice - albeit one with her own pesky food allergy that unfortunately keeps her out of the gin...poor baby. It just sounded like all the other ignorance I hear from neighbors, teachers, even family. Hopefully NPR will try to stem the tide of misinformation...but I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe NPR stands for "No Proof Required"...

It frustrates me to no end when someone downplays the seriousness of food allergies especially when it's someone who has a platform that can reach many people (like Harper's or NPR) and even worse, when it's someone who has no medical background!! Who decided a journalist such as Ms. Broussard is the authority on food allergies?!! Sure, she may have food allergies and maybe her's are not life-threatening but people have and do die from them - who cares if the number 150-200 is quoted the same ever year?! The fact is people CAN die. With any chance of that happening, of course any parent with a child with food allergies would be scared. And what may seem extreme to her to keep children safe is what is, for all we know, what is helping to prevent such tradedies from happening more. I don't care how rare anaphylaxis may be - you never know when it will strike - with any chance of that happening, would you want to put your child at risk if you can avoid it?!?! I am sure she would feel differently if she had a child turn bright red and swell all over and screaming or turn blue and gasp for air! God, I hope this article is not read by anyone my children come into contact with regularly.

NPR and Harper's have lost much credibility with this story. Thanks for undoing all the hard work so many of us parents do daily to keep our children safe!! This was irresponsible news and has done much harm.

NEITHER minimization nor melodrama HELP individuals with severe food allergies.

Reason and evidence and research are what we need, and those will help those with severe food allergies.

And speaking of research, IF this article bothers you, I suggest you take a look at how little NIH and NIAID spend on food allergy research in a yr.

NOW, there's a REAL STORY. And do some homework on what some of these other diseases prevalences and severity are like, compared to the impact and severity of severe food allergies.

How about West Nile Fever? CDC reported 3,404 cases and 98 fatalities in 2007, which was a significant decrease in cases and fatalities from 2006. And in FY07, West Nile received $40 Million in research funding from NIAID, and $61 M in the projected FY08 budget.

And let's see, there are 12-15 million people with food allergies, and approx. 1.5 million with peanut allergy alone. Food allergy research funding from NIAID in FY07? $9 Million. Projected for 08? $12 Million.

http://www.nih.gov/news/fundingresearchareas.htm

Now, that is something that I THINK is upsetting AND a VERY IMPORTANT STORY.

Sorry, Ms. Broussard, Harper's, and WNYC/NPR.

Apparently this speaker does not want to hear others opinions. She has disabled her comments on her blog about failed relationships in which her last blog briefly mentions her opinion about food allergies. You can still e-mail her at mer@failedrelationships.com (If that works!) Meredith, if you rip on FAAN as a good resource for families with food allergies, who do we go to if we can't contact you~the expert!

Shame on NPR and shame on Harpers for their tabloid journalism! What has responsible journalism come to? Anyone who writes a blog can come up with a sensationalist topic and it gets media coverage? Just because Ms Broussard has food allergies herself, this is no way makes her an expert! Her smear campaign is nothing short of appalling! Now we have to wait until January 31 for a balanced view... sorry but damage has already been done. Is there any way the interview with Dr Sampson can be done as soon as possible?

The Lopate Show responds:

January 31 was the first available date that we could have Dr. Sampson join us.

I am very disappointed in NPR for interviewing a very uneducated, non-medical person to discuss a topic that does affect a huge number of families.

I have a daughter with a tree nut allergy. I don't in anyway expect the world to change for her because of her allergy. We have worked to educate, not put fear in her and at 4 1/2 she is really good about asking before trying foods she's not familiar with.

I worked in the media for 8 years myself and got out of the business because I was getting very tired of radio and TV programs broadcasting stories that are not complete and most often a complete distortion of the truth.

What a shame NPR!

Outrageous that NPR would have a layperson one to discuss the rise in a MEDICAL condition. She does not have a medical degree or even a personal experience on the subject. Perhaps they will invite me on to talk about rocket science - I have no background in that area either.

Many people do not "believe" in the severity of food allergies and they will only believe after much education (organizations such as FAAN provide) or seeing it for themselves. Believe me, they would rather learn from education than experience.

It is very difficult to take a nut allergic child to parties - even family functions where extended family think that they are giving a child a "treat" - a cookie that contains nuts. You know, the well meaning person who tells a 3 year old that they don't have to ask their Mom. That turns into a lovely party experience when the child is convinced it is safe to eat. Parents of anaphylatic food allergy children are not terrifying their children any more than parents who tell their children not to play with electrical outlets. Those who should be scared are the people without Epipens that not not been diagnosed yet.

SHAME ON YOU! FOR THOSE PARENTS THAT HAVE LOST A CHILD OR LOVED ONE FROM AN ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION CAUSED BY A FOOD ALLERGY. WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT?

FOR A REAL DEFINITION OF ANAPHYLAXIS CHECK YOUR TABERS DICTIONARY. YOU FAILED TO MENTION A LOCAL REACTION AS OPPOSED TO A SYSTEMIC ONE. AND NO YOU DO NOT NEED TO EAT THE ALLERGY CAUSING AGENT/FOOD. IT CAN SIMPLY COME IN CONTACT W/ A MUCOUS MEMBRANE TO CAUSE A REACTION. AS ONE WHO HAS WITNESSED AN ANAPHYLAXIS REACTION I CAN TELL YOU THAT "THE DANGER IS BEING OVERSTATED" IS A FALSE STATEMENT. VERY FALSE AND YOU OWE A LOT OF PEOPLE AN APOLOGY. THE "HYPE" OVER PEANUT/TREE NUT ALLERGIES IS THERE BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE REACTIONS ARE MUCH MORE SEVERE THEN THOSE OF MILK/DAIRY. HOWEVER, I KNOW OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE ALSO HAD LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO THESE AS WELL. TELL THESE CHILDRENS PARENTS THAT THEIR CHILDS REACTIONS ARE NOT "STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT". AND THAT THEY ARE A PART OF A 'CULTURE OF ANXIOUS PARENTING'. DID YOU EVER CONSIDER THAT THE CHILDREN THAT HAVE ACTUALLY HAD A SEVERE ALLERIC REACTION FEEL AFRAID OF DIEING BECAUSE IT ALMOST HAPPEND TO THEM- MAYBE THEY FELT LIKE THEY COULDN'T BREATH-IMAGINE THAT?

ASK YOURSELF- WOULD YOU RATHER "OVER REACT" AND SAVE A LIFE OR BELITTLE A SITUATION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE HARM, A HOSPITALIZATION, OR EVEN DEATH?

ONCE AGAIN-SHAME ON YOU!

One of my children, after eating a piece of bread with sesame seeds, had severe swelling of her lips and cheeks to the point that she was unrecognizable.

My son, within minutes after his first-ever sip of goat's milk, was lying unresponsive on the floor struggling to breathe.

Please take food allergies seriously and interview families who have experienced anaphylaxis. We need the public to be cautious and informed of the very real dangers of some food allergies.

Clearly this woman herself is nuts! My daughter was at Scottish Rite hospital in July 2007 with an impaction problem. The Dr. gave her a milk and molasses enema and she broke out in hives. The hives were all over 90% of her body and they were all different sizes and red. She was itching all over and went into respiratory distress. I was 7 months pregnant and my husband and I thought we were going to lose her. This woman obviously has not experienced, first hand what it is like to see a child have a severe allergic reaction. She is completely uneducated and speaks like a three year old and I hope I never meet her because I would like to give her a piece of my mind. Maybe she will encounter a child that goes into anaphalactic shock someday and she will be very sorry that she judged the parents, children and people at FAAN for doing their best to find a reason so many children have to live with this.

SHAME ON HER, SHE IS A VERY UNEDUCATED WOMAN.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOOD ALLERGIES FIRST HAND AND HAD A CLOSE CALL WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAD A SEVERE RESPIRATORY REACTION TO MILK, WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL. WE ALMOST LOST HER AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. HOW DARE SHE COMMENT ON SOMETHING THAT SHE HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED.

SHAME ON NPR AND HARPER MAGAZINE AS WELL FOR EVEN ALLOWING THIS WOMAN TO BE HEARD.

I think we have bigger fish to fry in food allergy than one individual article/point of view in a not widely read (outside the East Coast) magazine.

I hope that WNYC/NPR looks at a look at this 2005 study, asks Dr. Sampson and NIAID about, what it's implications are for food allergic individuals, and what follow-up research is being done.

J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Nov 16;53(23):9023-30.

Transgenic expression of bean alpha-amylase inhibitor in peas results in

altered structure and immunogenicity.

Prescott VE, Campbell PM, Moore A, Mattes J, Rothenberg ME, Foster PS,

Higgins TJ, Hogan SP.

This careless reporting is a great disservice to kids with proven allergies, possibly endangering the lives of many.

No-one willingly lives with a nut-allergy child unless it's real and serious. I fantasize about being able to lead an allergy-free life and dream of eating outside home without asking about food and cross-contamination, enduring huffy scepticism of waitstaff, friends or family members. I endure hostility and exclusionary practices from people bothered by our "little" problem.

And who would be involved in awareness/prevention issues at FAAN other than knowledgeable parents and doctors? And yes,the makers of the only drug that reverses anaphylactic shock. It's not a conspiracy,just common sense.

Obviously, this article was not intended to be a serious or in-depth report, but thanks Ms. Broussard for alerting me to Nicholas Pawlowski, CHOP allergist who will definitely never be allowed near my nut-allergic child.