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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:
Original poster
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2013 23:44

I've never known meat to be cooked in gravy either MrsMook, so would have expected it to be mentioned.

OP posts:
Expectans · 13/12/2013 23:48

Generally speaking I am quite blasé about food, and ignore most may contain traces warnings. There is absolutely no way I would risk things peanut oil though, even if supposedly refined. Knowing a reaction is beginning is So horrible a feeling that I would actually rather not eat than take the risk.

ivykaty44 · 13/12/2013 23:51

Back before the smoking ban - there was a law to stop bar staff from smoking behind the bar - but nothing to stop bar staff eating peanuts, then pouring a drink.

Sounds fine dosen't it - until the hand that held the peanuts then goes around the glass and then is finally handed to a peanut allergy sufferer. Then the peanut allergy sufferer would have a reaction.

I have seen bar staff on many occasions eating whilst working, regardless of the fact that it is a no no, it happens

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 14/12/2013 00:07

Blimey, I've never thought about that ivykaty.

This is going to sound like a really stupid question now, but is peanut allergy something that's only come about in recent years? Or has it always been around but not actually recognised?

I only ask because it's not something I'd ever heard of before about 6yrs ago...or if I did it was very rare.

OP posts:
SinisterBuggyMonth · 14/12/2013 00:14

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SinisterBuggyMonth · 14/12/2013 00:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SinisterBuggyMonth · 14/12/2013 00:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IneedAsockamnesty · 14/12/2013 00:22

I can remember peanuts being banned from a school I was at in the 80's as they had a teacher with a huge problem.

Original poster
WorraLiberty · 14/12/2013 00:28

I'll definitely go back tomorrow for sure Sinister.

I was at school in the 70's and 80's and just don't remember it?

OP posts:
AnyFuckerWillDo · 14/12/2013 00:32

Shit this could kill me and many others. Very serious and I'm sure he's probably breaking laws using such a allergen without notice. Angry

jendot · 14/12/2013 04:13

Refined 'groundnut' oil ( as used in chippy's) will not cause an allergic reaction in someone who is allergic to peanuts.
When the oil is refined the protein in the peanut is effectively removed, it is the protein in peanuts which is the allergen ( this I'm sure is a very simplified version given by my sons consultant to me a simple dum dum).
My son who as a very serious peanut allergy has never had any issues with chips fried in peanut oil.

jendot · 14/12/2013 04:15

www.peanut-institute.org/eating-well/allergy/peanut-oil-no-allergens.asp

Here is a link...can someone make it a linky please

HicDraconis · 14/12/2013 04:24

Peanut institute link

According to the peanut institute, the oil is highly refined, does not contain the proteins which trigger a reaction and is safe for peanut allergy sufferers. Peanuts, peanut butter and the like are not safe as they are full of peanut protein.

That said, I have anaphylaxis to peanuts so I probably wouldn't risk it if I knew his chips etc were fried in peanut oil.

raisah · 14/12/2013 06:45

Can you report him to the food standards section of the local council? Surely food businesses have to comply with certain regulations etc & allergies etc have to be cater for.

Sirzy · 14/12/2013 07:45

My sister was always told to avoid Chinese take aways because they often use peanut oil and she is severely allergic to peanuts.

I love peanuts but will no longer eat them if I am going to see her after the time I had eaten a handful and a while later had a sip of her drink - she ended up being rushed to hopsital after reacting.

I do think some people without allergy experince don't realise how little it can take to trigger a reaction (understandably really you wouldn't think just being in a room with something would be enough to nearly kill some people)

HairyBeaver · 14/12/2013 07:49

Yanbu

Why don't you print out any info from mrs google and hand it to him? Grin

ivykaty44 · 14/12/2013 07:55

as the cases of asthma have risen in the last 30 years so have but allergy , it is not fully understood why they have risen and there are various theories.

Raisah - there are no standards in catering business for allergies, but it would not be good publicity for any business if a customer died due to the food being served effecting them and perhaps the OP could point this out to the chip shop - they wouldn't want to go bankrupt due to someone being effected or worse and an article in a local newspaper pointing the finger at them....

ivykaty44 · 14/12/2013 07:57

Incidentally I have never understood why someone with a nut allergy would be effected by peanuts - after all they are not even a nut?

HicDraconis · 14/12/2013 08:23

Sirzy, peanut residue (from your lips, transferred to her glass and then to her) will trigger anaphylaxis in susceptible people. Peanut oil is different, does not contain the trigger proteins and in theory should be safe.

I would be (and have been) admitted to ED after someone used a set of tongs to serve the customer before me a chocolate peanut slice and then the same ones to serve me a lemon slice. But that's whole or processed nut residue, not refined oil.

Peanuts are a legume rather than a nut, but I find it's easier to say I'm allergic to nuts as many other true nuts are processed on the same equipment and therefore traces of peanut residue can contaminate them. I react to a lesser extent to cashews for some reason and other nuts not at all, I just can't taste them and don't like the textures.

SMorgauseBordOfChristmasTat · 14/12/2013 08:30

Please go back. Unexpected peanut oil in a pub meal nearly killed DS1.

krasnayaploshad · 14/12/2013 09:12

I work in the food industry & would like to clear up a few misnomers on this thread.
As others have already pointed out REFINED peanut oil (also known as refined groundnut oil) does not cause an allergic reaction in peanut allergy sufferers. Studies have been done which confirm this.
UNREFINED or COLD PRESSED peanut / groundnut oil can cause an allergic reaction & I assume this was the problem for the posters in this thread.

However, the chip shop owner is still obliged to make customers aware that his food is cooked in groundnut oil. His cavalier attitude to allergens in general is a concern. OP, I think it's worth you contacting your local council.

bruffin · 14/12/2013 09:24

" The bit that causes a reaction was still on her breath."

That's not possible. However she probably had traces of the protein still on her lips.

Im having a row with the Hilton Hotel Marble Arch because they served cakes with nuts in to my ds 18, even though he asked several times whether the cakes had nuts in or not and they came back with a half empty plate of cakes and insisted none had nuts on. One was a macaroon and ds didnt eat it by tried another and had a mildish reaction. DS is alllergic to treenuts and sesame.
I wrote to the manager last sunday and did not get a reply and chased it up on facebook. They got in contact instantly asking for my details and I have sent them, but its now 24 hours and still not had a proper reply.

krasnayaploshad · 14/12/2013 09:48

bruffin I would recommend contacting anaphylaxis UK & getting them to follow up on your behalf. I came across an allergen issue with some Morrison's own products. They didn't take me seriously & fobbed me off but as soon as analphylaxis UK became involved, they addressed the problem very quickly.

bruffin · 14/12/2013 09:53

Krasnayaploshad, yes I have reported something to them before and they were really good. I will give them this weekend and report it.I am sure they came back with the plate with nuts on rather than the one without

bruffin · 14/12/2013 10:33

Sorry from Hyjacking the thread but this is the peanut oil advice from Anaphylaxis campaign

"http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/what-is-anaphylaxis/knowledgebase/peanut-oil---question-and-answers anaphylaxis"

I think this bit is interesting

"What are the risks in restaurants?

Based on the Southampton research, if a restaurant uses refined peanut oil, it is likely to be safe for the vast proportion of people with peanut allergy.

As a separate important point, if any oil has been previously used to fry a nutty product – for example, peanut cutlets or spring rolls – then the refined oil might be contaminated with peanut allergens. This might not be safe for people with peanut allergy. Incidentally, the same holds true if an oil has been used to cook any allergenic food. An oil used to fry fish would not be safe for someone with fish allergy."

then went on to explain how peanuts are banned from the local school etc and told him to Google it

They shouldn't be banning peanuts in school at all for a mulititude of reasons.