A heartbreaking event took place in Texas when a university student with a severe peanut allergy died after unknowingly eating a meal at a restaurant that had recently incorporated peanut sauce into its recipe. Alison Pickering, a 23-year-old student at Tarleton State University, was just a few days shy of her graduation when the incident happened.
Pickering had been aware of her peanut allergy since her early childhood and had always been meticulous about her food choices. She frequently dined at the same restaurants and opted for the same meals to ensure her safety. On May 12, 2023, she went to a familiar restaurant for a date and ordered a mahi mahi dish, which she had eaten safely in the past.
However, unbeknownst to Pickering and the restaurant’s staff, the kitchen had recently changed the recipe for the mahi mahi dish to include peanut sauce. After eating a few bites, Pickering sensed something was wrong. She used her EpiPen and managed to reach a nearby ambulance. Despite her swift response, her condition quickly worsened.
Pickering lost consciousness and never woke up. Her death was attributed to “severe anaphylactic shock from ingesting peanuts that were not disclosed on the restaurant menu,” as stated in her obituary.
In the aftermath of their daughter’s tragic death, Pickering’s parents have been advocating for changes in the food industry to prevent similar incidents. They are calling for improved communication within restaurants, particularly regarding changes in recipes that involve allergens.
The Pickerings are advocating for guidelines that would assist restaurants in better communicating with their customers about ingredients, similar to labels on grocery store items. They believe that these changes could potentially save lives.
In a related incident, a 19-year-old freshman at Maranatha Baptist University in Wisconsin, Hannah Glass, died after eating a gluten-free brownie made with roasted peanut flour. Glass, who also had a severe peanut allergy, became extremely ill and developed hives after eating the dessert. Her family donated her organs after her body completely shut down.