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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Nut allergies...no clue if I'm BU or not?

53 replies

WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:24

Ok I genuinely have no idea whether I'm right or wrong, and whether I should butt out or not? Xmas Grin

I bought some chips from my local chippy tonight and the guy behind the counter (one of the owners) asked me to pop in tomorrow when I'm passing, to give him feedback about the chips.

He said they're now using a new oil ( peanut oil ) instead of vegetable oil and wanted to know if it made the chips taste better or worse.

I said yes no problem...but then I had a thought and said "I hope you're telling all your regular customers about this, incase they have a nut allergy?"

He said, "No it's fine because it doesn't have peanuts in it, it's just the oil" Confused So I said, "Yes but if you're allergic to peanuts it can be deadly"...I then went on to explain how peanuts are banned from the local school etc and told him to Google it...because he didn't seem to be taking me seriously.

He then laughed and said, "Maybe I should put a sign in my window?" ( he so didn't sound serious though ) so I said, "Yes you should...and one behind your counter too". Then on of his timers went off so he went to the back of the shop, leaving someone else to take my money.

I know it's down to the allergy sufferer to check these things, but this chippy has used vegetable oil since before I lived here (and I've been here 19 years) so I wouldn't necessarily expect them to check every time they buy.

So ( since I really don't know much about peanut allergy ) WIBU to nag him tomorrow if there's no sign up? Or am I totally wrong and there's nothing to worry about?

The chips were lovely btw Xmas Grin

OP posts:
FryOneFatChristmasGoose · 13/12/2013 23:26

Ermm, peanut oil is from the peanut and can definitely cause the allergic reaction.

WooWooOwl · 13/12/2013 23:27

YANBU

FryOneFatChristmasGoose · 13/12/2013 23:28

Sorry, posted too soon.

My nephew had a reaction a few years ago simply from giving his own niece a kiss, about half an hour after she'd had a peanut butter sandwich. The bit that causes a reaction was still on her breath.

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:29

Well this is what I thought but I didn't have Mrs Google at my fingertips to back me up.

Also, I would have thought what with all the certificates on the walls that this wouldn't be news to him.

I'm just worrying that if a regular customer has an allergy, they probably wouldn't think to ask about the oil after all these years.

OP posts:
Binkyridesagain · 13/12/2013 23:30

DH is allergic to peanut oil, he can eat peanuts and tends not to have a reaction unless he goes stupid, peanut oil however he only needs a very small amount to react.

I have never known a Chippy to use peanut oil, but I tend not to ask them as the ones I use advertise the product they use.

milkysmum · 13/12/2013 23:30

Gosh no YANBU.

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:30

Fry ( ironic name! ) I hope he was ok? Sad

I can't get over the fact he thought it was ok because there were no actual peanuts in it...

OP posts:
Elliemayclampett · 13/12/2013 23:30

Yes! He should put a sign up. My PFB is allergic to peanuts. We use the same chippy all the time because we know he is okay with the chips there. If they changed the oil and didn't mention it/we didn't check the consequences could be fatal.

Daykin · 13/12/2013 23:31

Refined peanut oil is non allergenic (technically) but I wouldn't take the chance with my dc and would want to know.

EllaMenOhPea · 13/12/2013 23:31

yADNBU, and he is being thick.

If he doesn't have a sign up in his window tell him you will be telling the local paper Angry

FryOneFatChristmasGoose · 13/12/2013 23:31

Sadly, I think those health and hygiene course for which he got the certificate don't go far enough. It's surprising how much people don't know about allergies.

Neepandthedragon · 13/12/2013 23:31

wow that's scary, I have a child with a nut allergy. Do go in and check he has a sign up, he sounds like he has a terrible attitude to allergies.

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:32

No I don't think I've known it either Binky. I know lots of stir fry dishes are cooked in peanut oil but I hadn't thought about chips.

OP posts:
FryOneFatChristmasGoose · 13/12/2013 23:33

Nephew didn't get too bad a reaction, and was okay after a while.

Expectans · 13/12/2013 23:33

Speaking as someone with a severe peanut allergy, once I have eaten something somewhere once, I assume it will still be ok the next time. I would definitely appreciate a sign up!

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:34

Ok thanks everyone.

I just didn't want to look like a twat if in fact I'm going on about a sign that he might not need...because I don't really know enough about the allergy.

But you've reassured me so I'll get in there tomorrow and show him this thread if necessary.

OP posts:
SantaIKnowHimIKnowHim · 13/12/2013 23:35

YADNBU, if you're allergic to peanuts then you DEFINITELY would want to be told if your fish shop chips were fried in it! Shock
I have food allergies (thankfully not nuts, touch wood) and know how shocking they can make you feel. (Not to mention life threatening in some people's cases.)
I can usually get by with reading ingredients lists and using common sense though.
I can imagine most people wouldn't even THINK of asking what their chippy shop chips were fried in, as it probably wouldn't occur to them!
He should definitely inform customers if planning on cooking with it.

ClangerOnaComeDown · 13/12/2013 23:37

YANBU! I suffer from a nut allergy and due to a lot of people and lack of understanding I don't eat out any more. I can't trust the oils or the ingredients. I have asked several times about ingredients and oil and have been given the all ok...only to suffer a huge life threatening reaction later...not worth the risk anymore. ...really fucks me off

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 13/12/2013 23:38

I'm in the same boat as Elliemayclampett , my son is allergic to peanuts. We use the same chippy when we buy fish and chips as we know DS can eat their chips. If they didn't tell us about changes we probably wouldn't think to ask every time what oil they had used.
Please do go and nag him to make a sign and to mention it to all customers.

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:38

I think I'll write 2 bloody signs myself and take them round tomorrow Grin ( Only half joking... )

But seriously, if he's reluctant for any reason and doesn't put a sign up, who should I call?

Would it be environmental health, or would they not be interested?

OP posts:
MrsMook · 13/12/2013 23:38

We have to avoid giving a Brownie nuts as she could contaminate her sister and send her into anphylactic shock. It can be an incredibly sensitive allergy.

YANBU

DS has 3 allergies/ intolerances (not nuts and not so high risk) but it's really frustrating when something is reasonably assumed to be safe isn't. We had an issue with a roast dinner. Thought it would be fine with no gravy (grannules usually contain soya, and can have milk and egg, so a potential tripple whammy for him). When it came it had gravy on so we sent it back, and the waiter then said the meat was cooked in the gravy. Nothing on the menu indicates it, it wouldn't occur to us, and you have to be specific about what you ask as so few places have a clue about the content of their food unless it's a place that really cooks from fresh. For us the consequences would have been lasting digestive upset and eczema flare-up.

Expectans · 13/12/2013 23:39

The sad thing is that even if he went back to non peanut oil, there will still be traces of it there. It does not take much to cause a reaction. :S

whereisshe · 13/12/2013 23:40

Based on this info it seems that it's unlikely to be a problem and also refined peanut oil is likely to be in lots of products. That said, if I owned a chippy I wouldn't be taking any chances - anaphylaxis is not something to be treated lightly!

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:42

That's a very good point Expectans. So even if the feedback he gets is negative and he switches back ( doubt it though cos they were gorgeous ), he'd still have to keep the sign up.

OP posts:
MrsMook · 13/12/2013 23:43

The sister that I referred to uses our chippy a lot as it's one of the few gluten free options avaliable to her. A lot of people with nut allergy will have other dietry needs to consider.