MSNBC Commentator Makes Light of Milk Allergy
FAAN has now seen the video of an MSNBC news segment featuring analyst Susan Filan talking about milk allergy, and is appalled by her ignorance of the topic, as well as by her dismissive attitude.
Commenting on someone with a milk allergy who had gone to the hospital after inadvertently eating some cheese, she derisively said, “I just don’t know how sick you can get from a piece of cheese. … Generally, allergy to cheese is lactose intolerance, which gives you a stomachache.”
Lactose intolerance is not a food allergy; rather, it is a metabolic disorder caused by the lack of an enzyme needed to break down a component of milk. Stomachache is a common symptom.
A food allergy, on the other hand, is an immune system response to a food protein and can be fatal. It is the leading cause of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) outside the hospital setting in the U.S. and results in more than 30,000 emergency room visits, and 150 to 200 deaths, annually.
Because there is no known cure for food allergy, strict avoidance is the only way to avoid a reaction. For the 12 million Americans who have the condition, it can be a matter of life or death – definitely not something to be taken lightly.
Cheese is made from milk, which is one of the eight major food allergens in the U.S. Just one small bite or sip of a milk-containing product can be enough to cause a deadly reaction.
MSNBC has a responsibility to make sure that its analysts and commentators are well-informed, particularly when talking about matters of health and safety. On the subject of milk allergy, Susan Filan displayed a shocking ignorance.
Her comments about “allergy to cheese” not only were insensitive, but were a gross and dangerous misrepresentation. Clearly, she doesn’t understand that milk allergy is a serious medical condition.
FAAN has been hearing from an increasing number of its members about how Susan Filan misrepresented and made light of milk allergy. FAAN has contacted MSNBC. We urge members to continue to contact MSNBC to make their feelings known.
You can contact MSNBC by e-mail at viewerservices@msnbc.com or by writing to:
MSNBC Viewer Services
1 MSNBC Plaza
Secaucus, NJ 07094 |
