Texas Student's Death Highlights Restaurant Allergy Risks After Recipe Change

Alison Pickering, 23, died in May 2023 from anaphylactic shock after unknowingly consuming peanuts in a dish she had safely eaten before.

Alison Pickering, a 23-year-old college student, died in May 2023 after an allergic reaction to peanuts in a dish she regularly ordered at a Texas restaurant.
The restaurant had recently changed the recipe for the mahi mahi dish to include peanut sauce, a change not disclosed to customers or staff.
Pickering, who had a lifelong peanut allergy, administered her EpiPen and walked to the ambulance but later fell unconscious and did not recover.
Her parents are advocating for improved communication about allergens in restaurants, including clearer ingredient disclosures and staff training.
The Pickerings are exploring collaboration with the Texas Restaurant Association to establish guidelines aimed at preventing similar tragedies.