Student sheds light on food allergy bullying
By Hannah Bennett
Observer Contributor
Food allergies are a growing issue that calls for a lot of attention throughout the world. And while the allergy itself can be difficult and dangerous to deal with, there are children with food allergies that not only have to worry about the foods they are allergic to, but people who would intentionally harm them using those foods.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “food allergies are a growing food safety and public health concern that affect an estimated 8% of children in the United States. That’s 1 in 13 children, or about 2 students per classroom… The prevalence of food allergies among children increased 50% between 1997-2011, and allergic reactions to foods have become the most common cause of anaphylaxis in community health settings.”
One of the more commonly known food allergies is peanuts; and subsequently, peanut butter
In terms of awareness towards food allergies, many groups, such as the CDC, provide information on how best to treat them and prevent exposure to them. Other groups formed online to further educate those uninformed about food allergies, and those who die because of them.
One such site is a blog called, “Remembering Those We Have Lost to Food Allergies,” run by Lisa Rutter.
“I would like to take this time and remember some of the recent and not so recent deaths that have occurred from food allergies,” wrote Rutter. “These are just some of the reported cases. It is very sad that there have been so many and yet we have not heard about most of them.”
According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), “about one-third of kids with food allergies report that they have been bullied because of their allergies.”
I myself have experience with this kind of harassment. I have several food allergies, most of which are life threatening. Throughout my time in my elementary school, I was met with students who either did not understand my allergies or found them “funny.”
One of the most prevalent instances I remember when classmates tried to hurt me was when they replaced my allergen free sandwich with a peanut butter sandwich.
I opened the Ziplock bag, and the smell was enough to make me feel sick. I didn’t eat the sandwich and saw my classmates laugh at me as I sat there. There were many other instances before and after this.
What discouraged me at the time was not only the cruelty of my classmates, but the lack of action from my teachers and school administration. I told them and my parents about the first several incidents, and nothing came of it. A report was never filed, and my classmates were never reprimanded for their actions. I grew up thinking what they were doing was more acceptable than my medical condition. I had no idea what they did was a crime until I was a teenager.
Throughout my time in my elementary school, I was met with students who either did not understand my allergies or found them “funny.”
– Hannah Bennett
According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, “(a) No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States, as defined in section 7(20), shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Several examples are included, but one in particular relates to my experiences: “a local educational agency… system of vocational education, or other school system.” By federal law, no public education system, like my elementary school, can allow discrimination based on a disability.
Harassment and bullying well qualify as a form of discrimination and should therefore have been and should be in the future addressed as such an offense. Yet dozens of people are faced with this form of harassment every year. Because of the federal laws in place, people can be met with criminal charges for engaging in this kind of harassment and those who allow it to happen can be sued for negligence among other things.
Food allergies are a disability, and one that can kill.
The issue remains as a a detrimental and necessary topic of discussion when it comes to the welfare of our populace and the safety of students in schools. FARE, CDC, and personal accounts from people with food allergies are great articles you can use to educate yourself on how to best help those with food allergies and prevent reactions. All anyone has to do to become more aware of food allergies and their impact is to take the time to read them.
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