The Fear of Eating Out With Allergies: Why It's More Than Just A Meal

I recently read an article that I feel is important to share. The article helps explain why people with severe food allergies never feel totally safe when we eat out.

In October of 2023, a 42-year-old doctor suddenly and tragically died while she was on vacation with her husband at Disney World. While eating at a Disney restaurant, Dr. Kanokporn informed her server about her severe nut and dairy allergies. The server checked with the chef and told the doctor that her allergies could be accommodated. Dr. Kanokporn and her husband ordered. She felt safe, especially because they chose the restaurant due to its reputation for being accommodating to people with food allergies. Several times before she ate her meal, Dr. Kanokporn and her husband were told that the food was safe. Forty-five minutes later, Dr. Kanokporn died from anaphylaxis because there were allergens in the food she ate. Although an Epi-Pen was used, Dr. Kanokporn sadly could not be saved. This story highlights my greatest fear. Those of us with severe allergies often place our lives in the hands of strangers who sometimes don’t really understand the extent of our allergies. Yes, we can carry Epi-Pens and ask if our food is safe, but those steps do not guarantee our safety.

I am sharing this article for a couple of reasons. First, it is important for those working in the food industry to know that while our allergies and questions about your food preparation may be annoying, they are necessary. Restaurant allergy precautions can save our lives. Next, for those who eat out with people who have food allergies, please understand that our fear is real. We don’t ask questions to be embarrassing or dramatic. We ask questions because we might die if we don't. Dr. Kanokporn’s story terrified me because even a medical doctor, who knows more than anyone about allergies, was killed by a restaurant’s mistake. Also, the mistake happened at an allergy-aware restaurant. This highlights why people have a fear of eating out when they have a severe and life-threatening food allergy.

My allergist warned me about this fact when I was six. She looked me and explained that one little

mistake cost some of her patients their lives. “Talia, you have to be so careful!” Some members of my family thought her warning was too harsh to share with a child. I do suffer from general anxiety. This is likely related to the constant fear I experience due to my allergies. However, I feel grateful for my doctor’s honest warning. She taught me the importance of being careful and aware. I also understood at a young age that life is a gift that can be taken away. For this reason, I recently sent a card to Dr. Kanokporn’s family. I wanted to express my sorrow about what happened to their daughter and wife. Mostly, I wanted them to know that I will continue to share her story so that Dr. Kanokporn can continue to help save the lives of others.