This is just unbelievable to me! There is a Peanut Bureau of Canada established in 2002. Okay, so no big deal, they want to sell more peanuts in Canada---EXCEPT for the fact that the board includes peanut allergy researcher Dr. Peter Vadas, Director, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, St. Michael's Hospital and Dr. Jane Salter, President, Anaphylaxis Canada.
This is an organization for the promotion of peanuts?----does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?
Lord love us---is there anyone not for sale on this God forsaken planet?
[url="http://www.peanutbureau.ca/english/pressrelease.cfm?page=pr_pbc_launch"]http://www.peanutbureau.ca/english/pressrelease.cfm?page=pr_pbc_launch[/...
ARGH! I looked everywhere on the website and there isn't a single iota of information about peanut allergies...
How unfair.
What a disgusting, biased website! I too checked it out and there was not one fact regarding any specifics about the significance and danger of peanut allergies. I would like to contact Jane Salter of Anaphylaxis Canada and Dr. Peter Vadas to learn of their purpose in being involved with this organization. Studies on this site mention that peanuts are 'heart healthy' and are a great food source for those with diabetes- these are the types of studies targeted for the sensationalistic media. Who exactly funded these studies-the Peanut Board? The only people who benefit from this group are the peanut farmers, dietitians and nutritionists selling the idea of how wonderful peanuts are.
Quote:Originally posted by Kim canada:
[b]What a disgusting, biased website! I too checked it out and there was not one fact regarding any specifics about the significance and danger of peanut allergies. I would like to contact Jane Salter of Anaphylaxis Canada and Dr. Peter Vadas to learn of their purpose in being involved with this organization. Studies on this site mention that peanuts are 'heart healthy' and are a great food source for those with diabetes- these are the types of studies targeted for the sensationalistic media. Who exactly funded these studies-the Peanut Board? The only people who benefit from this group are the peanut farmers, dietitians and nutritionists selling the idea of how 'wonderful' peanuts are. [/b]
Thanks for the link. I e-mailed them and offered to give them some information on peanut allergies since their website didn't have any, even though it said it did in the introduction. I'll let you know what I hear back (if I hear back)!
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Cynde
river, just bloody lovely. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img] Dr. Peter Vadas, who, what, two years ago ran around Toronto buying European chocolate to test it for peanuts and one of who I think is the most respected allergists in Canada re PA. Just bloody lovely. And Anaphylaxis Canada now as well.
cynde, I like what you did. I think I'll do the same as well.
I am extremely upset about this. Here's my reasoning why, which would be the same as anyone else's, probably. Do we need the head of Anaphylaxis Canada and one of our most respected allergists further promoting the peanut? Does the peanut not get promoted enough? I am serious. I got one of my magazines in the mail within the last couple of months (it would have been Chatelaine, Elle or Today's Parent) and it came with a little brochure re Kraft Peanut Butter with recipes. Nothing to bi*ch and moan about here anymore because it doesn't bug me anymore like it used to, but still. Peanuts and nuts are promoted constantly.
On the bulletin board at my children's school, there is a thing about healthy lunches. Well, of course, peanuts and nuts are mentioned. It does also have a note at the bottom that peanuts and nuts may not be a good idea if there are allergic children in the school.
My Breakfast for Learning program had stuff re peanuts.
Peanuts are promoted heavily enough as it is.
I shudder to think of the day when we have things as difficult as our American friends do. Peanuts are NOT a cash crop here. No one in Canada benefits from the growing of peanuts. The sale of, of course they do.
I'm ticked off. And I haven't even checked out your link yet. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img]
Many thanks river for bringing this to our attention. I think we need to wake up and you continue to get us to do so.
Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
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I e-mailed the Peanut Bureau of Canada. I am pissed right off (pardon my language). I checked out the links section, and of course, no links provided to do with peanut allergies. I am going to e-mail Jane Salter of Anaphylaxis Canada. As far as Dr. Vadas, currently, as I sit here, I would like to wring his neck. Yes, he received funding for research from them. Just bloody lovely. Did he really need it that badly? And what will his research come up with? A non-allergy causing peanut? I am really really upset about this one, river.
So, Anaphylaxis Canada in bed with The Peanut Bureau, just like FAAN being in bed with whoever they are (you know the proper name, I don't [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img] ).
Now, of course, if one settles down, and doesn't think negatively, one could think that possibly Anaphylaxis Canada's input and Dr. Vada's input at The Peanut Bureau of Canada would help people with peanut allergies and make people, who visit the site aware of peanut allergies. But no, not so, if you currently look at their website.
And deep down, probably not so. I'm pissed off. Sorry. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img]
I'll e-mail Jane Salter when I settle down.
I am aghast.
Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
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The one link - something about " For Peanut Lovers" DID have a whole section on allergies and anaphylaxis.
[This message has been edited by McKenziesMom (edited February 18, 2003).]
I don't understand what you guys want to do about this. Ban peanuts? Ban peanut promotions? What? I find this thread disturbing, river, and furthermore, I find the FAAN 504's thread in the schools section disturbing as well. I am very confused about what you are asking in both threads.
Carolyn
The following is posted on the peanut web site:
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"Health and allergy research
The United States peanut farmers and industry are committed to funding and supporting ongoing research and initiatives in the nutrition, health and allergy fields. The Peanut Bureau of Canada works to ensure Canadians receive this information on a timely basis.
At the launch event, Dr. Peter Vadas, Director, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at St. Michael's Hospital and Peanut Bureau of Canada Advisory Member, announced new research in the area of severe peanut allergies. Dr. Vadas and his research team found that deficiency of an enzyme involved in fat metabolism predisposed peanut allergic individuals to fatal allergic reactions. This finding identifies a previously unrecognized risk factor for life-threatening anaphylaxis.
"The U.S. peanut farmers and industry have provided several laboratories in the United States and Canada, including ours, with much needed funding to conduct research in the area of peanut allergy, which affect about 1% of the Canadian population," said Dr. Vadas. "This funding will allow us to work more rapidly towards a cure for peanut allergy, and our research findings move us one step closer to that goal."
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I think that Dr. Vadas is working hard to help PA individuals. His research sounds very promising, as if there is an enzyme deficiency that does result in the fatal allergic reactions, maybe his result will find a way to block this fatal response so that no one will ever die of peanut allegy in the future.
Consider the example of fish as well. I have read hundreds or articles and news stories and web sites that extoll the virtues of eating salmon. It lowers your blood cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack. However, there are many people out there who could die from having a severe reaction to eating salmon. Would Dr. Vadas be attacked if he joined the seafood industry advisory board?
And even if some of Dr Vadas money did come from the peanut industry, it shouldn't matter. If we reject this money, maybe a cure for PA may be delayed by an additional few years, and who wants that. The peanut industry wants a cure too, as then they will have even more potential customers to buy their products.
And several people have mentioned that there is no info about peanut allergies on the links from this website. I agree that they could add more links to the site, but there actually is some allergy info there (peanutbutterlovers.com):
"The Facts About Food Allergies
A food allergy is an immune system response to an otherwise harmless food or food component, usually a protein. The body reacts by flooding the system with histamines and other chemicals to fight off what is perceived as an invader in the body. A reaction to a food that does not involve the immune system is called a food intolerance or sensitivity (for example: lactose intolerance).
Food allergies are rare. Between 1 and 2% of American adults have a food allergy, according to food allergy experts. These can be caused by more than 170 foods. The most common and severe food allergies are caused by milk, eggs, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, cashews, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy.
Experts estimate that as many as 5 to 8% of American children may have a food allergy. The most common food allergies among children are milk and egg. Fortunately, children outgrow most food allergies. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish usually are lifelong.
It is important to consult a board-certified allergist if you suspect you have a food allergy. Allergists can accurately diagnose the allergy and prescribe medication for its treatment.
Most allergy sufferers experience fairly mild reactions to a food allergen. Symptoms can include varying degrees of hives, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing and vomiting. A small number of food allergy sufferers are susceptible to severe and potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylaxis can constrict the airways in the lungs, severely lower blood pressure, and swell the tongue or throat, among other symptoms. Anaphylaxis is rare, but can be fatal if not treated immediately. It can be caused by foods, insect stings and medications.
The Centers for Disease Control reports 10 deaths in 1998 (the last year for which data is available) due to food allergies. In comparison, 46 people died in 1998 from hornet, wasp, or bee stings.
There is currently no treatment to prevent a food allergy reaction
I'm with Cayley's Mom. What is going on here and in the 504 thread? This reaction is very upsetting. How are the peanut farmers and the organization that represents them our "enemies"? Does that mean that Dairy Farmers, Egg Farmers, Shellfish Fishermen and their representative organizations are also our "enemies"? It is the immune system of our child or ourselves that is inappropriately reacting to these substances. Severe allergies are on the rise worldwide not only to peanut, but to whatever is a common protein in the culture. If we lived in, for instance, China, we might have allergies to rice; in Italy, we may have shellfish allergies. It is not only the peanut.
If these farmers and organizations want to help fund research to find a cure for these allergies, what is wrong with that? And, how does their donations somehow alter the behavior of respected doctors, researchers, or FAAN?
Andrea
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