The Texas college student tragically lost her life.
23-year-old Alison Pickering was a senior at Tarleton State University and just days away from her graduation when the incident occurred on May 4, 2023.
Her family has since turned their grief into advocacy, issuing a stark warning.
Pickering died after suffering a fatal allergic reaction during a first date at a restaurant where she unknowingly consumed a dish containing peanuts.
Her family are now calling for greater transparency and awareness of allergens in restaurants.
Alison had been aware of her peanut allergy since childhood.
Her mother, Joy Pickering, recounted how the allergy was first discovered when Alison came home from preschool with hives after sharing a peanut butter sandwich with a friend.
From that point forward, Alison became cautious about her food choices, meticulously avoiding potential allergens.
“She rarely ate cookies that were not mine,” Joy explained to Mail Online, emphasizing her daughter’s diligence in managing her condition.
In preparation for her date, Alison chose Newton’s Saddlerack, a restaurant she had visited before.
Confident in her familiarity with the menu, she ordered the mahi-mahi, a dish she had safely eaten on previous visits.
However, unbeknownst to her, the recipe for the dish had been altered to include peanut sauce.
Neither Alison nor the restaurant staff were aware of this change when she placed her order.
After taking just a few bites, Alison immediately sensed something was wrong.
According to her father, Grover Pickering, she administered her EpiPen and managed to walk to the ambulance when it arrived.
Tragically, her condition worsened during transit, and she passed away shortly afterward.
“It’s tragic, and it doesn’t need to happen to anyone else,” Grover remarked.
The Pickerings have since launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of food allergies and advocate for clearer communication in restaurants regarding menu changes and allergens.
“Disclosing clearly-known anaphylactic allergens like peanuts or peanut sauce is simple and at no cost to restaurants, but it is a matter of life and death to customers,” Joy wrote on Facebook.
The family hopes their efforts will prevent similar tragedies in the future.
They have called for mandatory allergen disclosure and improved staff training within the restaurant industry.
While the Texas State Legislature passed the Sergio Lopez Food Allergy Awareness Act last year to enhance allergy training for kitchen workers, the Pickerings believe more can be done.
They propose working with the Texas Restaurant Association to establish guidelines ensuring that customers are informed about all ingredients in their meals, akin to the labeling system used on packaged foods.
Despite their advocacy, the restaurant owner, Mike Newton, disputes claims that staff were unaware of the recipe change.
However, he declined to comment further due to ongoing litigation.
This devastating event has highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness and accountability regarding food allergies.
Alison’s story is not an isolated case; others have lost their lives due to similar incidents, such as Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, who suffered a fatal reaction at Disney World, and James Atkinson, who passed away after eating a pizza containing peanuts in 2020.
These cases underscore the importance of proper allergen labeling and clear communication between restaurants and patrons.
The Pickerings remain steadfast in their mission, hoping to turn their heartbreak into lifesaving reforms.
As Joy poignantly stated, “I know we’re going to save lives by doing this.”