Woman goes viral after worrying her in-laws are actively trying to feed her mushrooms despite deadly allergy
*Strangest story you’ll read all day claxon*
Many of us might admit to having a somewhat strained relationship with the in laws, but one woman is so concerned about hers she fears they might actually be trying to kill her, by feeding her mushrooms, to which she’s allergic.
Turning to an online advice column in The Cut, the woman in question explains that she’d told her husband’s parents that she couldn’t eat mushrooms because of an extreme allergy.
"Dear Polly," the letter begins. "I have a very severe allergy to mushrooms. I carry an EpiPen, and I have been hospitalised multiple times because of exposure to this food. One time, I began convulsing in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. My husband politely explained this to his parents when we started dating, and I was invited to family meals."
This is the most unhinged Ask Polly letter I've ever received, hands down. https://t.co/IMcgxMcWDJ
— Heather Havrilesky (@hhavrilesky) August 7, 2019
READ MORE: Celery, mustard and sulphur dioxide: The surprising foods on the 14 top allergens list
While most people would deliberately take mushrooms off the menu at family gathering, it seems her in laws have decided to put the funghi in absolutely everything they serve.
From mushroom powder in the mashed potatoes, to mushrooms in salad and even a special plate of mushrooms for everyone to pass round.
What makes it worse is that the woman’s husband even told her that his parents didn’t really used to eat mushrooms all that much before being told about her allergy.
Now, however, they rarely prepare a dish without some sort of mushroom addition, despite the fact that it could actually kill their daughter-in-law.
Unsurprisingly, the disregard for his wife's health has caused a rift between the woman's husband and his family.
“When I was pregnant, my husband told them we would not take part in any family meals if they didn’t promise to keep the meals allergy-free,” she explains.
“His dad said, ‘We can’t promise that. Everyone except your wife likes mushrooms, and we’re not changing what we eat for one person.’
The woman’s sister in law even called her up and accused her of overreacting claiming that mushrooms are “not a poison.”
Er, they are if you’re allergic.
My husband’s sister even called me up, angry about the fact we would not be attending a party at her parents’ house. Yelling that I was overreacting and that mushrooms are “not a poison.”
“Short of taking them a doctor’s note, telling them my allergy is real, I’m not sure what to do,” the woman finishes her post.
The short-version of the utterly brilliant response she received from Polly, the agony aunt, can basically be summed up by the line “Your in-laws are next-level, off-the-charts batshit.”
Of course, the Internet also had some thoughts on the situation.
This woman shouldn’t even consider reconciliation! The minute her guard is down the Mushroom Manson Family will be lacing everything on her plate with portobellos.
— LeeLeeSt (@LeeLeeSt1) August 7, 2019
I cannot get past “mushroom powder in the mashed potatoes”. 🤢 That’s not a thing!! These people are evil. This woman feels bad like it’s her fault, but they clearly already hated their own son or they wouldn’t do any of this. 🤷🏽♀️
— Qué Lynda (@Lyngay) August 7, 2019
If I were the letter writer, I'd be contacting the authorities, to notify them that a life-threatening allergy was being ignored and that my safety was being compromised every time I visited these sociopaths. Perhaps a note from the police might force them to amend their toxicity
— Sinéad Larkin (@_the_biscuit) August 7, 2019
READ MORE: What does the introduction of 'Natasha's law' mean for food allergy sufferers?
Others pointing out that people disbelieving their condition or being accused of faking is a common problem faced by many sufferers.
This is a common thing. People don't believe allergies are real, so they want to prove people wrong. Nothing short of her seizing up at the dinner table is going to make them believe her. And even then they'll likely say she's faking it.
— 🏴☠️Charlie's Angels but the ones from Evangelion (@Rory__Walker) August 7, 2019
My cousin had a severe reaction to shrimp at her in-laws bbq (they didn’t tell her they put it in a dip & didn’t believe she was allergic)Her throat closed up, her body seized, she stopped breathing. Ambulance took her away and THEY TOLD EVERYONE AT THE BBQ SHE WAS A DRAMA QUEEN
— Amanda (@HotHamWater949) August 7, 2019
My in laws continued to serve shellfish for YEARS after my diagnosis. It's one of those foods that releases the allergen into the air when cooked. Sucks to feel disposable.
— Theresa Dorsey Meis🔥 (@FireBUnicorn) August 7, 2019
The topic of food allergies has been dominating headlines of late thanks to the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, who died after eating a Pret a Manger baguette in 2016.
According to figures from Food.gov, an estimated 2 million people in the UK are living with a diagnosed food allergy.
The UK has some of the highest prevalence rates of allergic conditions in the world, with over 20% of the population affected by one or more allergic disorder.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has recently announced that food allergy sufferers will soon be protected under a new law.
The legislation, known as ‘Natasha’s Law’, means all food businesses will be required to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged food.
But, of course this wouldn’t cover meals dished out by potentially unhinged in-laws.