Article Response: The peanut is ba-a-a-ck.

Alright, another article response.

The article was called The peanut is b-a-a-ck. It was in the Toronto Star today, main page on one of the sections;

Here's the article.

The article talks about how Peanuts have started a come-back, despite their tainted reputation. As you may all know, within the past few years, peanut-free products have become very popular, almost a commodity.

It mentions how peanut sales have risen within the last year, but the peanut industry is not as welcomed by our society. The article also digs into how Anaphylaxis Canada (anaphylaxis is the allergic reaction caused by peanuts) believes that people must stop demonizing peanuts, learn the facts, and be reasonable about their protective nature.

It also mentions about how a peanut-paste has been in used in Niger and other developing countries to cure malnutrition. Finally, a concern is brought up within the article, which I will talk about later.

My reaction.

Basically, I think that people have gone a little peanut-free crazy, and that it’s a bit excessive.

But if you think about it, it really isn’t (this response helped me figure that out).
First of all, regarding peanut-free products. I’m talking about the products that had the “may contain traces of peanuts” signs on them, not the ones where peanuts are a main ingredient. When those products become completely peanut-free, then I think that’s great. First of all, it allows assurance for the consumer, who may be peanut-free. I’d assume someone would get pretty paranoid if a product said it “may contain traces of nuts.” That’s like saying “may contain traces of cyanide.” Secondly, if you are making a product that isn’t supposed to contain peanut products, and it ends up with peanut products in it, there is something seriously wrong with your factory. The whole “guaranteed peanut-free” thing is re-assuring for the consumer and a good quality-exercise for the producer.

About the peanut-paste, no duh.
Peanuts are pretty fricking good for you, not to mention that almost anything is good for you when you’re starving to death. Peanuts are also relatively cheap and don’t go bad that fast (as well as I’m aware). I remember when I used to eat spoonfuls of peanut butter; those were the good ol’ days. I think peanut paste is an excellent aid to the hunger crisis. It doesn’t rival Rice or oatmeal or anything, but it contains tons of protein and stuff that you need.

My mom buys peanut-free stuff, but I think it’s just because things we normally buy have now become peanut-free. Although, I will agree with Nancy Racz in the article who stated that “people are just jumping on the band-wagon” for this one, I think we’ve gone a little bit insane over this.

Also, the article made a good point in saying that if we go crazy and make sure that everything is peanut-free, and get all paranoid and obsessed, that people will not take the allergy as serious as they should. Also, there have been cases where people have been bullied because of their allergy. I remember in grade 3 when some girl in our class stated that she was allergic to peanuts, and 5 kids had to throw out their sandwiches that day, and she wasn’t allergic, she was just being paranoid.

“But there are signs that folk have reached a limit.”

Ahh, I finally get to criticize.

The article, in its final paragraphs, mentions a lady in Calgary, mother of a 5 year old, who demands that the citizens of the neighborhood stop feeding peanuts to the squirrels, in fear that her child may come into contact with the shell, and cause an allergic reaction.

…are you kidding me?
To have an entire neighborhood stop a tradition, I’m sure for most of them, so your child can not have to worry about getting an allergic reaction from eating stuff off the ground?
At first I was pretty outraged, as were most of the people who responded to the CBC posting of this.

I mean, it is kind of ridiculous for someone to ask of this, not to mention a bit selfish.

I can understand if they asked the neighbors to stop, maybe other people close by, as in near her school or something.

To be honest, I wouldn’t let my 5 year old out of my sight ANYWHERE in public, allergic of not, and by the time she would be allowed out of my sight, she’d probably be well aware of the risks, and know how to use her epinephrine injector.

I can understand the mother’s concern, well, I try to and I believe I have a pretty good grasp of it, but I think her wishes are a bit extreme. Something like this falls into your own responsibility as a parent.

There’s my response. Hope all of you are reading the paper as well. Please feel free to leave comments, I’d love to hear some feedback.