Give me my peanuts!

[RhyssaFireheart]

Eh, figured this would be the best forum for my rant.

So, husband and I are both home this morning, he's got to run to the bank.  Asks if I want him to pick up breakfast from anywhere.  Sure, we don't usually have the chance to breakfast together because of schedules, donuts sound good, he takes a run through the Dunkin' Donuts drive through.  We both love the peanut donuts they have and he orders.  Gets told that they don't offer them anymore because of allergies.

What the fuck.

Look, I understand that allergies can be serious, people have them, whatever.  But why the hell do I have to be penalized and not get to have a fucking peanut donut just because some kid has allergies?  Put up warnings like Dairy Queen does, or other food places.  But no, instead everyone else who happens to like peanut donuts has to lose out.

Oh, and they were fucking out of Boston Creams and Maple iced as well.  At 9:30am on a Saturday morning!

Blah. 

[IainC]

It is time.

[Hawkbit]

To the bell tower!!!

[Strazos]

Probably a cost-benefit analysis between losing people over not offering peanut donuts, and offering them but making persons with peanut allergies unable to order any donuts?

Sucks though, they sound tastey.

[Grimwell]

Probably a cost-benefit analysis between losing people over not offering peanut donuts, and offering them but making persons with peanut allergies unable to order any donuts?

Sucks though, they sound tastey.

Awwww, it's so cute. Strazos still thinks that corporate America makes decisions based on rational decisions and cost analysis.

I bet it was more like someone high up in the donut company has a kid with peanut allergies and this was the result of some brainstorm to be more thoughtful for their customers.

Local donut shops for the win btw.

[Merusk]

Expect DQ to lose the peanuts in the next 3-4 years, and to start seeing other nuts going the way of the peanut.  Food allergies are spreading along with our national awareness of them. Combine that with our over all desire to idiot proof things to avoid lawsuits and you're going to see other shit start disappearing, too.

I'm with Grim on the local shops.  Buskins still sells peanut donuts. (Or did when I was last there.. it's been a year since I bought donuts.)

[rattran]

I was just at the local Dunkin' Donuts (roofers are LOUD) and they still had peanut donuts. I did not get one, but they said they had no plans to discontinue them. So maybe it's just your local.

[Nevermore]

Dunkin' Donuts are a franchise so rather than Grimwell's evil anti-peanut corporate overlord, it's more likely just the owner of that particular location who's a dipshit.

[Strazos]

Awwww, it's so cute. Strazos still thinks that corporate America makes decisions based on rational decisions and cost analysis.

I bet it was more like someone high up in the donut company has a kid with peanut allergies and this was the result of some brainstorm to be more thoughtful for their customers.

Local donut shops for the win btw.

The snark was uncalled for. This isn't the politics forum.

[Mattemeo]

Food allergies are spreading along with our national awareness of them.

I'm waiting for Hagen Daaz and Ben & Jerry's to come up with some Soya variations on their popular icecreams. But until they do and pigs spontaneously evolve the power of flight, I will just suffer crippling stomach pains and endless bathroom visits for a few spoons of that sweet, sweet candeh. But at least that's merely a tasty intolerance and not anaphylactic shock...

[Lantyssa]

Isn't that the truth.  Now that I have a better understanding of what's in what, I can at least mostly control when I'll be doubled over in pain.

[RhyssaFireheart]

I was just at the local Dunkin' Donuts (roofers are LOUD) and they still had peanut donuts. I did not get one, but they said they had no plans to discontinue them. So maybe it's just your local.

Mentioned to the husband that I'd posted here in snark, and he brought up that it could have been this particular location as well.  It's still annoying.

Grim, you should remember what this place is like.  It hasn't changed all that much (well, Algonquin is wider now) so the choices for local donuts outside of a grocery chain are pretty small. :(

[tony14smoke]

Probably a cost-benefit analysis between losing people over not offering peanut donuts, and offering them but making persons with peanut allergies unable to order any donuts?

Sucks though, they sound tastey.

Awwww, it's so cute. Strazos still thinks that corporate America makes decisions based on rational decisions and cost analysis.

I bet it was more like someone high up in the donut company has a kid with peanut allergies and this was the result of some brainstorm to be more thoughtful for their customers.

Local donut shops for the win btw.

This is Ryhssa's husband with my first-ever post.  I'm going to Country Donuts tomorrow AM and getting a dozen peanut ones.  Then, I'm going to sneeze my peanut breath on the franchisee's kid's head.

[Oban]

Awesome, my ex-wife is deathly allergic to peanuts and my daughter may be too.

So, while you may not understand why you can not have your peanuts in an uncontrolled production environment, some of us prefer to go to places that do not use peanuts.

[Grimwell]

The snark was uncalled for. This isn't the politics forum.

This is the funniest thing I've read here all week.

[rattran]

I was just at the local Dunkin' Donuts (roofers are LOUD) and they still had peanut donuts. I did not get one, but they said they had no plans to discontinue them. So maybe it's just your local.

Mentioned to the husband that I'd posted here in snark, and he brought up that it could have been this particular location as well.  It's still annoying.

Grim, you should remember what this place is like.  It hasn't changed all that much (well, Algonquin is wider now) so the choices for local donuts outside of a grocery chain are pretty small. :(

It's not like there's not a pile of Dunkin Donuts in that area, some probably still have peanut. I always get the weird Japanese donuts from the Happy Hippo inside Mitsuwa, I doubt they'd have peanut though. Hmm, may have to go for green buns there tomorrow morning...

[Trippy]

Look, I understand that allergies can be serious, people have them, whatever.  But why the hell do I have to be penalized and not get to have a fucking peanut donut just because some kid has allergies?  Put up warnings like Dairy Queen does, or other food places.  But no, instead everyone else who happens to like peanut donuts has to lose out.

I think it's more a cross-contamination issue rather than some person with peanut allergies accidentally biting into one cause they were given one by mistake or something. It's why on food labels, items that don't have peanuts or other such reactive ingredients but are made in facilities that do process them still have a warning (in very very small print) that they are made in such facilities.

[schild]

Peanuts are the new cigarette. While there's no government lobby for it yet that I know of - it's the same damn thing. Don't like smoking? Don't go somewhere that allows smoking. Allergic to peanuts? Why would you even want to go to somewhere that uses peanuts in their food anyway?

Bleh.

[Samwise]

Allergic to peanuts? Why would you even want to go to somewhere that uses peanuts in their food anyway?

I think you just identified the motivation for restaurants to stop using peanuts in their food.   

[Lantyssa]

The problem is that, much like wheat, peanuts are used extensively in our diet.  Not quite as much as wheat, but there's plenty of cross contamination and the reaction is much worse.  Perhaps if we didn't process our food so much, and it didn't all occur at the same factory, it wouldn't be as problematic.

[Grimwell]

Allergic to peanuts? Why would you even want to go to somewhere that uses peanuts in their food anyway?

I think you just identified the motivation for restaurants to stop using peanuts in their food.   

Perhaps, but the numbers just don't stack up.

Allergy to peanuts and tree nuts in the general population is, respectively, 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent, with the rate in children under age 18 (0.8 percent and 0.2 percent) slightly different from adults (0.6 percent and 0.5 percent respectively). These two foods are the leading causes of fatal and near fatal food-allergic reactions.

From the business perspective, let them eat peanuts and put up a pretty sign that says "If you have ANY allergies, perhaps you should talk to us about them and see if we can't make something special for you to enjoy and not die from?"

My wife has a food allergy, to jasmine. Who eat's jasmine you ask? Anyone who has jasmine tea. So when we eat out at Asian influenced restaurants and have tea, we ask before we order. It's amazingly effective.

[Teleku]

That's why I say let the peanut allergy people die if they can't choose the correct restaurant and let natural selection rule!  It's much easier than reforming the way food processing works. 

Not that I'm serious.  I saw Oban's pic of his daughter and she's way to cute to be hurt from peanut allergy.  I'm sure he wouldn't mind what ever happened to the ex-wife though.

[FatuousTwat]

Awesome, my ex-wife is deathly allergic to peanuts and my daughter may be too.

So, while you may not understand why you can not have your peanuts in an uncontrolled production environment, some of us prefer to go to places that do not use peanuts.

I do understand that certain people have special needs, and it seems to me (if I understand you correctly) that you have a good attitude about it (go somewhere that doesn't have the thing you have a problem with).

Too bad a lot of people think that if they have a problem with something, everyone else on the planet should accommodate them.

If restaurants want to keep peanuts off their menu, that is fine and dandy, but I predict people will soon start trying to force the issue, which isn't fine to me.

I second schild, I expect to see peanuts to go the way of the cigarette.

[gryeyes]

Its strange how an allergy to peanuts is almost entirely a "first world" affliction. But in a risk/benefit scenario i don't see peanuts winning out, especially in the fast food industry that requires a huge amount of idiot proofing. Tasty peanuts vs. The inevitable death followed by mega lawsuit.

[apocrypha]

Peanuts are the new cigarette. While there's no government lobby for it yet that I know of - it's the same damn thing. Don't like smoking? Don't go somewhere that allows smoking. Allergic to peanuts? Why would you even want to go to somewhere that uses peanuts in their food anyway?

Bleh.

Peanuts aren't addictive nor do you inflict your peanut eating choices on other people. Not a great analogy.

I blame this on the rise of the litigious society. The fear of getting sued for ridiculous shit is taking over.

[schild]

Peanuts are the new cigarette. While there's no government lobby for it yet that I know of - it's the same damn thing. Don't like smoking? Don't go somewhere that allows smoking. Allergic to peanuts? Why would you even want to go to somewhere that uses peanuts in their food anyway?

Bleh.

Peanuts aren't addictive nor do you inflict your peanut eating choices on other people. Not a great analogy.

It's an excellent analogy. Packages need warnings, restaurants are supposed to be up front about it, etc - in fact, the OP shows that it's exactly like cigarettes. Places have stopped serving them because it's just one of those things people are choosing to bitch and moan about. I say this as someone mildly allergic to nuts (though, it's minor enough that I just don't give a shit and will gobble down a jar of PB if I so desire it). Unlike second hand smoke though, it will KILL someone who is allergic whereas the former will do not a fucking thing accept upset a bunch of nazis because they don't like the smell. Wah.

I blame this on the rise of the litigious society. The fear of getting sued for ridiculous shit is taking over.

It took over YEARS ago.

[Yoru]

After reading this thread, I was moved to action. In order to combat the peanut menace, I have constructed and consumed one (1) peanut butter sandwich.

The world is now 1.5oz of peanut safer. You are all welcome.

[Hawkbit]

At risk of a derail, I read an article a few months back about a doctor experimenting with 'curing' peanut allergies... through massive doses of peanut concentrate.  Fairly successful so far, from what I understand. 

[Oban]

At risk of a derail, I read an article a few months back about a doctor experimenting with 'curing' peanut allergies... through massive doses of peanut concentrate.  Fairly successful so far, from what I understand. 

Sounds like a good start for a first degree murder defense.

[JWIV]

At risk of a derail, I read an article a few months back about a doctor experimenting with 'curing' peanut allergies... through massive doses of peanut concentrate.  Fairly successful so far, from what I understand. 

It's not massive doses.  It's building up a tolerance by using miniscule amounts at first (1/1000 of a peanut to start with) and then increasing the amount slowly.   

[Lantyssa]

After reading this thread, I was moved to action. In order to combat the peanut menace, I have constructed and consumed one (1) peanut butter sandwich.

I salute your bravery, Sir!  We need more good people like you.

Perhaps, but the numbers just don't stack up.

Yeah, but for how small the numbers are did you read this:

• Allergy to peanuts and tree nuts in the general population is, respectively, 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent, with the rate in children under age 18 (0.8 percent and 0.2 percent) slightly different from adults (0.6 percent and 0.5 percent respectively). These two foods are the leading causes of fatal and near fatal food-allergic reactions.
• In spite of attempts to avoid allergenic foods, accidental exposures are the major causes of allergic reactions to foods. Over a period of two years, approximately 50 percent of subjects in the United States with food allergy have an allergic reaction to accidental exposure.

I don't like removing options from people, however there needs to be vast improvements in food handling.  Fifty percent.

[RhyssaFireheart]

After reading this thread, I was moved to action. In order to combat the peanut menace, I have constructed and consumed one (1) peanut butter sandwich.

I salute your bravery, Sir!  We need more good people like you.

Agreed!  In fact, PBJ sounds pretty damn good right about now.  I think I'll go make myself a sandwich once I'm doing perusing the message boards.

Perhaps, but the numbers just don't stack up.

Yeah, but for how small the numbers are did you read this:

• Allergy to peanuts and tree nuts in the general population is, respectively, 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent, with the rate in children under age 18 (0.8 percent and 0.2 percent) slightly different from adults (0.6 percent and 0.5 percent respectively). These two foods are the leading causes of fatal and near fatal food-allergic reactions.
• In spite of attempts to avoid allergenic foods, accidental exposures are the major causes of allergic reactions to foods. Over a period of two years, approximately 50 percent of subjects in the United States with food allergy have an allergic reaction to accidental exposure.

I don't like removing options from people, however there needs to be vast improvements in food handling.  Fifty percent.

I agree that removing options from people is bad, but even working with the bolded parts, that still translates into just 0.3 and 0.2 percent of people with food allergies having reactions from accidental exposure.  It's still a very tiny percentage compared to population overall.  And I'd be interested to know how many of those fatal/near-fatal reactions were first reactions, meaning it was how they discovered the person was allergic to an item in the first place, and didn't know how to react properly.

I absolutely do agree that food processing needs to be made more transparent and anything that does cause allergies detailed properly and in readable type for people.  But once someone identifies an allergy, they also have the responsibility to make sure they, or their child, asks for information as well.  It's like the doctor's office asking if I have any known allergies when I visit.  It's my job to tell them that, not just assume I won't come into contact with anything that could cause a reaction.

[Cadaverine]

Bitchy peanut allergy people.  Try being allergic to wheat.  That shit is ineverything.  Soy sauce has freaking wheat in it for gods sake.  I've tried the gluten free foods at the local grocer, but the stuff just tastes awful to me.  The only thing I really miss is pizza, and Phillys/Subs.  Both of which I like enough to chance a trip to the hospital by eating here and there.

[Lantyssa]

The staff often doesn't know.  You can spend thirty minutes verifying it's safe and still get caught.

1) General awareness needs to increase.  If we're being realistic, expecting minimum wage workers to care is asking a lot.  I'm thankful when they do, but yeah.  I expect more from a manager, but even they often don't know.

2) The companies all the way back up the line need to care.  All there needs to be is one in the chain that doesn't and something slips through.  Being cynical, they don't unless they're worried about their bottom line.  Unless there is a salmonella scare, the at-risk population is so low that they don't see the need to get really concerned.  It's only a few small percents of the population, right?

Bitchy peanut allergy people.  Try being allergic to wheat.  That shit is ineverything.  Soy sauce has freaking wheat in it for gods sake.  I've tried the gluten free foods at the local grocer, but the stuff just tastes awful to me.  The only thing I really miss is pizza, and Phillys/Subs.  Both of which I like enough to chance a trip to the hospital by eating here and there.

I've had a few good gluten-free crusts.  Expensive as hell though.  Like $10 for a package of four personal pan-size, and the store only carries them once in a blue moon.

It really does suck.  I've given up trying to be 100% gluten-free.  So what if it saps my energy, plays havoc with my insides, makes me grumpy, and increases my Asperger's-like behavior?  At least I'm not eating goddamn cardboard for every meal.  I was never big on food until I had to try and go wheat free.

[Samwise]

that still translates into just 0.3 and 0.2 percent of people with food allergies having reactions from accidental exposure.

Fixed.  These aren't percents of people with food allergies, these are percents of the overall population.  There are about 300 million people in the US.  So every year close to a million people in the US are accidentally served food that could kill them.  I can see how restaurants might be concerned.