Who Would Have Guessed My Celery Allergy Is Known in the U.K.?

In addition to not being able to eat gluten and dairy, I am deathly allergic to CELERY and all it's by products. Most people in the United States, including doctors, chefs, and educators have never heard of a celery allergy. Truthfully, this uncommon food allergy has made it very uncomfortable and awkward when I am eating anywhere but home. I often get the same reaction from people, "I've never heard of that before" as if they don't believe me.  It usually leads to a conversation at the table, which is the last thing someone who is trying not to obsess about their food allergies needs. This fear is escalated when I am traveling and have to eat out often. 

I am planning a trip this summer to Ireland and Scotland and decided to research how difficult it would be to eat there. The U.K. is known for its Celiac (Coeliac) Awareness and from everything I read eating gluten-free, in both countries, will not be a problem. 

According to the Food Standard Agency in the U.K.
The European Commission compositional and labelling standards (Commission Regulation (EC) No. 41/2009) establish levels of gluten for foods that makes a claim to be either 'gluten-free' or 'very low gluten'. These levels are:
'gluten-free' – 20 parts or less of gluten per million.
'very low gluten' – 100 parts or less of gluten per million. However, only foods with cereal ingredients that have been specially processed to remove the gluten may make a 'very low gluten' claim.

 Food Standard Agency  has an interactive page, called In The Restaurant,  where you can go in and take a test on what is in certain restaurant foods. (Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean and Deli) It was fun! 

What surprised me was the information I found about celery allergies. 

Celery Allergies

The first website I found was  www.anaphylaxis.org.uk. The UK considers celery one of the top 14 allergens and they even have a fact sheet for Celery Allergies.

Here's some of what they had to say: 

Celery is one of the 14 major allergens that under European Directives 2003/89/EC and 2006/142/EC must be declared whenever they are used, at any level, in pre-packed foods."
The inclusion of celery on this list, approved under EU law, is based on the view that celery allergy is a serious problem in certain European countries such as France, Germany and Switzerland. Based on our experience, celery allergy would appear to be rare in the UK. However, reactions to celery, when they do occur, can be severe for some people.

So everything I eat, whether packaged or at a restaurant, is required to have any celery ingredient on the label or after the item on the menu. 

The U.K. has Strict Allergen Labeling Rules

I will let you know how it goes after we visit Scotland and Ireland. If you been there recently, please share your experiences and favorite food places. Thank you.

Thank you U.K. for looking out for me!

References:
https://www.allergyuk.org/common-food-intolerances/common-food-intolerances
http://allergytraining.food.gov.uk/english/in-the-restaurant/
http://allergytraining.food.gov.uk/english/default.aspx
http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/knowledgebase/celery-allergy-the-facts/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-allergy/pages/causes.aspx

Teen Dies After Eating Dairy At A Diner

I still have tears in my eyes after reading an article on DailyMail.com. A 16 year old boy, who has suffered from anaphylaxis allergies to dairy, died after eating gluten-free pancakes containing dairy. He and his family were assured that the pancakes were dairy-free and that the cooking surface was cleaned before they made the pancakes.

This is my biggest fear. I have anaphylaxis allergies to celery, mango, pistachio and sunflower seeds. I try not let my fear take over my life but I will not eat somewhere I don't feel safe. I worry about the accuracy of the information the kitchen staff is giving me. I search the food when it is delivered to look for visible signs of the food I am allergic to. I go to the same restaurants over and over because new places concern me. 

I have been rushed to the hospital 4 times for anaphylaxis reactions to celery. It has been 19 years since my last attack yet I still remember the itchy skin, and how the roof of my mouth felt. I remember my skin burning and the difficulty I had breathing. Near death experiences like these stay with a person. Reading this article reminded me why.   

 

"Doctors told the Johnsons the dairy exposure had led to anaphylaxis so severe that Scott's heart had stopped. Three days after the family breakfast, Scott died."  Scott didn't have his Epi-Pen with him that day.

According to DailyNews.com, 16 year old Scott Johnson, died of anaphylaxis allergies due to dairy, after being assured the pancakes were dairy-free.

My prays and love to Scott's family!

Reference:

 Parents of teen killed by severe dairy allergy sue diner that 'served him pancakes made with milk and said they were dairy free'

By Josh Gardner For Dailymail.com

Published: 08:53 EST, 16 March 2015 | Updated: 10:18 EST, 16 March 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2997105/Parents-teen-killed-severe-dairy-allergy-sue-diner-served-milk-laced-pancakes.html#ixzz3UgYwOXYJ