Allergy groups hopping mad at Peter Rabbit ‘food bullying’
Film studio apologises over scene in film showing animals pelting an allergic man with blackberries
BEATRIX POTTER’S Peter Rabbit stories have enthralled generations of children with their tales of warm camaraderie and gentle mischief.
But filmmakers behind a new adaptation of the much-loved tale were forced to apologise last night after facing calls for it to be withdrawn from cinemas over a scene in which the protagonist and his furry friends deliberately pelt an allergic man with blackberries.
Allergy UK said the film, due to be released in the UK next month, “mocks” allergy sufferers and trivialises a life-threatening condition. Carla Jones, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Anaphylaxis can and does kill. To include a scene in a children’s film that includes a serious allergic reaction and not to do it responsibly is unacceptable.
“Mocking allergic disease shows a complete lack of understanding of the seriousness of allergy and trivialises the challenges faced by those with this condition.” She said they expected to see a “significant response” from allergy sufferers, adding: “We will be communicating with the production company about the film’s withdrawal.”
Sony Pictures last night admitted it should “not have made light of Mr Mcgregor being allergic to blackberries” and said it regretted not being more aware and sensitive of the issue.
In Peter Rabbit, the rabbits’ arch nemesis, Mr Mcgregor, has died and his nephew, Tom Mcgregor, takes charge of the vegetable patch with a disdain for “vermin”.
In one scene, the rabbits, who have already learned that he is allergic to blackberries, pelt him with the fruit, firing one into his mouth. Tom reportedly collapses to the ground, choking and turning red before stabbing himself in the leg with an Epipen.
The scene, which is not in the trailer but has been alluded to in reviews, prompted the hashtag #boycottpeterrabbit on social media. Several groups representing allergy sufferers called for a boycott of the film, warning that it was “grossly offensive” and made light of a potentially fatal condition.
Parents of children with food allergies have also expressed disgust at the scene. A petition calling on Sony Pictures to apologise attracted around 6,000 signatures after the Global Anaphylaxis Awareness and Inclusivity group said the film “mocks the seriousness of allergic disease and is heartbreakingly disrespectful to the families of those that have lost loved ones.
“Furthermore this is a socially irresponsible depiction in a movie aimed at children and based on an iconic and classic children’s story.” The Kids with Food Allergies Foundation, an American group, said: “Making light of this condition hurts our members because it encourages the public not to take allergic reactions seriously, and this cavalier attitude may make them act in ways that could put a person in danger.”
Others railed against the backlash, chastising the “snowflake generation”. One Twitter user said: “If you want to get indignant about something, pick a war or social injustice but leave the poor rabbit alone snowflakes.” In the UK,
‘This encourages the public not to take allergic reactions seriously’
around 10 people die every year from food-induced anaphylaxis.
In a statement last night, Sony Pictures said: “Food allergies are a serious issue. Our film should not have made light of Peter Rabbit’s arch nemesis, Mr Mcgregor, being allergic to blackberries, even in a cartoonish, slapstick way. We sincerely regret not being more aware and sensitive to this issue, and we truly apologise.”