Moms Talk: In Wake Of Girl's Death, How To Handle Kids' Food Allergies?

Food allergies can kill.

Many in the Niles area were tragically reminded of that this week when, the father of 13-year-old Katelyn Carlson, who was severely allergic to peanuts, brought a wrongful-death lawsuit against Chinese Inn Chop Suey, 7505 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. 

Katelyn's teacher at Edison Regional Gifted Center in Chicago had ordered food from the restaurant in late December for an end-of-semester party. The school said it specified that no peanut products be used in the preparation, but Katelyn died after going into anaphylactic shock from the meal. 

Comments so far on Niles Patch have ranged from sympathy for the family to insisting the family be responsible for all the food a child with food allergies eats. Some commenters also suggested that, since Chinese restaurants are known for cooking with peanut oil, the teacher should probably have avoided a Chinese restaurant altogether. 

What's your take? Do you know any kids with food allergies? Is it possible for them to eat in restaurants? 

Do they carry an epinephrine injector (EpiPen) or antihistamine liquid or tablets (Benadryl) to keep them breathing in the event of an allergic reaction?

How much of a hassle is it for kids to sit at the peanut-free table, or avoid restaurants their friends are going to?

And can they even eat at their friends' homes, or attend parties, safely?