AIBU?
To think that supermarkets could spare a thought for those with peppers allergies?
londonmummy1966 · 20/07/2017 18:36
Ok so I know this is a first world problem but..
All my family are away for a few days so I thought I'd have an evening slobbing out in front of a box set and eating a ready meal. I fancied something light as it is hot here today - I wasn't fussed about what - vegetarian, fish or chicken. However, I am allergic to peppers - they make me violently sick. Every single one of the ready meals in my local, admittedly small, supermarket contained peppers other than a super stodgy Chinese breaded chicken in sickly sweet lemon sauce and containing a million calories.
Everywhere I look these days peppers appear to be ubiquitous and yet I know that lots of people have this allergy. AIBU to think supermarkets etc ought to be a bit more aware of it?
FrancisCrawford · 20/07/2017 18:47
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PeanutButterIsEverything · 20/07/2017 18:48
MIL is allergic/intolerant of peppers (although is ok with chillies), and doesn't like creamy sauces. She's a veggie. Eating out is v difficult for her.
Yes peppers v common in stuff these days. I suppose they fit with a variety of cuisines and are recognisable for people rather than too much 'foreign' veg.
NannyRed · 20/07/2017 18:54
People can be allergic to many things, from gluten to tomatoes to protein to peanuts. I just can't see how manufacturers can accommodate every body.
I think it's one of those "life is unfair " moments when you have to realise that you can't have the same as everybody else.
booellesmum · 20/07/2017 19:06
DH really dislikes peppers. The smell makes him feel sick - and he can tell if a pepper is out when he is in a different room.
I spend ages reading ingredients - especially on curry sauces - to find the ones without peppers.
Have noticed the number of foods that have peppers in has steadily increased over the last decade or so.
Redsippycup · 20/07/2017 19:26
Anyone can be allergic to anything, there is no food that is not a potential allergen. The most common and/or dangerous ones are required, by law, to be labelled in packaging in a specific way.
There are often reviews where foods are added to the official list (i think kiwi and apples might be on the drawing board for addition at the minute)
The trouble with mass food manufacturing is that a 'normal' clean of equipment is not enough to remove traces that could cause anaphylaxis (which is why you get the 'may contain nuts' thing) so it is impractical to do deep allergen cleans between each product. (usually for X free products the whole factory is an X free zone, even down to the worker's packed lunches)
I am allergic to fish so i totally understand where you are coming from (and luckily fish isn't in everybloodything, although tesco seem to put it in and out of their caesar salad wraps at the drop of a sodding hat) and i know this doesn't help you buy dinner.
Ime waitrose are very good / strict with allergies, and complaining to supermarkets does have an effect.
wonkylegs · 20/07/2017 19:28
I'm severely allergic to pineapple - I thought it would be pretty easy to avoid but you'd be surprised what it gets into. I almost got some dried cranberries the other day for baking no but luckily I noticed a little asterisk that said they were plumped up with pineapple juice otherwise the first I'd known about it was when my throat closed up.
It's the nature of allergies they are a pain in the arse.
londonmummy1966 · 20/07/2017 19:31
I don't eat much red meat and it is a bit too hot today for shepherds pie - both the veggie and meat lasagnas had peppers in as did all the Thai and Indian dishes
I almost always cook from scratch which is why I was so disappointed as a ready meal is a wonderful lazy treat for me. I'm now off to make myself an avocado and tuna salad but its not quite the same. I'll console myself with a glass of rose. everyone!
MycatsaPirate · 20/07/2017 20:41
Yes! Dp is allergic to peppers and it's a bloody nightmare just trying to find a chinese sauce to make something at home. I am literally limited to one brand now.
Even things like the packets of savoury rice, which are lovely in the summer with salad, have peppers in them. Every single one.
I like peppers and so does DD1 but if we buy them they have to be sealed up in a bag and placed away from all other food in the fridge.
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