Many don't understand the dangers of food allergies, partly because many people have “allergies” to things like pollen or pets & associate the word “allergies” with reactions to those triggers. By labeling food allergies the same, people who only have experience with things like seasonal allergies tend to place food allergies in the same category, but they are not.
Most people know allergic reactions to seasonal allergies to be congestion or itchy eyes. Allergic reactions associated with food allergies are more like reactions from the poison category that can quickly lead to death. By labeling food allergies as “allergic poisoning,” people will more quickly associate eating things like peanuts with a venomous snake bite. This change in terms can lead to better understanding & action.



