Uber Eats has faced backlash after being accused of making light of people suffering from peanut allergies, with
The Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) charity saying it was “surprised and disappointed”
to see the company use allergies as a joke.

In fact, research shows more than a quarter of 18–24-year-olds do not consider a peanut allergy to be a serious health condition.

The data, analysed by

The IB Band Company, into the health condition opinions data of Brits, found that in contrast, over four-fifths of respondents over 50 years old consider peanut allergies to be serious.

Experts claim the research shows younger Brits are more likely to see mental health problems as “very serious” relative to issues like peanut allergies, asthma,
and diabetes, with 86% of 18-24-year-olds seeing depression as a serious health condition.

The survey data, from YouGov, also revealed over one-fifth of men consider peanut allergies not to be serious, in comparison to just 7% of women. Over 90% of
female respondents considered a peanut allergy to be a serious health condition.

“The research has identified an unexpected insight regarding gender differences in attitudes toward peanut allergies,” commented Mark Davison, Managing Director
at The ID Band Company. “The data also highlighted a generational disparity in prioritising health concerns, and we would encourage further discussion around the attitudes towards severe allergies among the younger demographic.

“It is encouraging to see recognition of the seriousness of mental health issues, but we are concerned that individuals are underestimating the dangers of a
severe peanut allergy, and we are on a mission to create more conversations on the topic since these figures are worrying.”

According to data from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), there were 25,721 hospital admissions for allergies and anaphylaxis in
2022-23, more than double the 12,361 recorded two decades before. The increase for food-related anaphylaxis admissions was even higher, going from just under 2,000 admissions twenty years ago to over 5,000.

Commenting on this, Mark, said, ”By wearing a

medical ID bracelet, individuals are not only enhancing their safety in the event of an emergency, but also contributing to fostering a culture of awareness and understanding surrounding health conditions. This ultimately supports the mission to prioritise
the significance of conditions like severe peanut allergies.

“It is crucial we increase awareness of the severity of this allergy in the UK, since on rare occasions this condition can be fatal. One way we are encouraging
people to raise awareness is by wearing medical ID bracelets which allow individuals to clearly display their allergy or health condition and treatment to assist medical professionals in case of an emergency.

“We come across people with serious allergies without wearable medical ID as they assume the medical information and emergency contacts on their mobile will
be checked by Ambulance services, where in fact this often isn’t checked. For this reason, we urge those with severe allergies to consider wearing a medical ID bracelet which could be potentially lifesaving.”

The ID Band Company also works with NHS Trusts, specialist units and providers of internal medical devices to provide medical alert wristbands for specific medical
conditions.