Nut allergy scuppers Adam’s Army dream

9:21am Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Your Town

Nut allergy scuppers Adam’s Army dream Nut allergy scuppers Adam’s Army dream

A TEENAGE boy’s dream of becoming an Army officer has been dashed — because he has a nut allergy.

Adam John, from Heaton, says he is being discriminated against because the Armed Forces will cater for other dietary requirements, including vegetarians and Halal and Kosher food.

Now the 18-year-old is hoping to spark a debate in Parliament about the issues by starting an e-petition.

Mr John, who has just completed his A-levels at Bolton Sixth Form College, is hoping to carry on his studies at Manchester University this autumn.

He said: “Joining the Army means you get to the travel the world while serving your country — there is no better job.”

The former Smithills School pupil only found out he was barred when he tried to sign up and saw the restrictions on the form.

Mr John said: “I was so shocked, I had never heard about this before.

“I feel it is extremely discriminatory. It has been my dream to join as an officer or soldier in the Infantry on completion of university and yet I’m prevented from doing so.”

Mr John has had two allergic reactions, one when he was 12 while on holiday in the USA and last year at the age of 17, when he was diagnosed with the allergy and issued with an EpiPen, which he can use to inject himself with a life-saving adrenaline shot.

He said: “The UK Armed Forces are the best in the world and can surely be able to cater for those with nut allergies.

“They can prepare other foods carefully for those who eat Halal or Kosher because for a Muslim to eat pork is a huge issue and care has to be taken to deliver those dietary requirements.

“I am prepared to sign a disclaimer that if I have an allergic reaction I will not sue, that is how much I want to join.” The same restrictions apply in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Mr John is now urging people to sign his e-petition in a bid to force a ministerial debate on it in the House of Commons.

He would need 100,000 signatures to force a debate, but so far only has 30.

An Army spokeswoman said: “Anyone wishing to join the Army is issued with a guidelines which include a list of medical condition that preclude entry. We cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment especially when on operations.”

To sign the petition go to epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/34950.

Comments (5)

10:40am Tue 3 Jul 12

atlas123 says...

I would imagine it is not so much the food that is an issue it is more the environment itself.

Some people with nut allergies cannot come into contact with nut derived products at all, be it ingestion or skin contact.
I would imagine it is not so much the food that is an issue it is more the environment itself. Some people with nut allergies cannot come into contact with nut derived products at all, be it ingestion or skin contact. atlas123

1:20pm Tue 3 Jul 12

PDY says...

Whilst I sympathise with the lad there is a massive difference between The Halal and Kosher situation and his. If Muslim or Jewish soldiers eat non Halal or Kosher food there will not be a physical reaction so a mistake will not result in a health issue. With a nut allergy a mistake would have serious health issues and, as a result, the Army have made the right decision.
I would also take issue with the lad's comment that joining the army is the best way to see the world. With his qualifications and desire he can get a job that will pay enough for him to see the world without the risk of coming home in a body bag!!!!
Whilst I sympathise with the lad there is a massive difference between The Halal and Kosher situation and his. If Muslim or Jewish soldiers eat non Halal or Kosher food there will not be a physical reaction so a mistake will not result in a health issue. With a nut allergy a mistake would have serious health issues and, as a result, the Army have made the right decision. I would also take issue with the lad's comment that joining the army is the best way to see the world. With his qualifications and desire he can get a job that will pay enough for him to see the world without the risk of coming home in a body bag!!!! PDY

1:37pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Gerrard2012 says...

Whilst I agree with both of the above comments, I do think that in this day and age this shouldnt be a problem as a large amount of people in the UK suffer from a nut allergy. The armed forces should be able to provide the correct food for people with these sort of allergys as they could be missing out on some real undiscoverd talent.
Whilst I agree with both of the above comments, I do think that in this day and age this shouldnt be a problem as a large amount of people in the UK suffer from a nut allergy. The armed forces should be able to provide the correct food for people with these sort of allergys as they could be missing out on some real undiscoverd talent. Gerrard2012

3:06pm Tue 3 Jul 12

PDY says...

Gerrard2012 wrote:
Whilst I agree with both of the above comments, I do think that in this day and age this shouldnt be a problem as a large amount of people in the UK suffer from a nut allergy. The armed forces should be able to provide the correct food for people with these sort of allergys as they could be missing out on some real undiscoverd talent.
Understand what you are saying but logistically, trying to isolate rations, which could have to be shipped to a warzone, for one or two individuals, is a nightmare and would not be possible 100% of the time. Imagine if there was a mistake and this lad had rations containing nuts by mistake. What would his colleagues prioritise, looking after him or getting themselves out of harms way. There are circumstances where the individual just has to say " it isn't for me under these circumstances and move on. At the end of the day he was made aware of the situation when he applied.
[quote][p][bold]Gerrard2012[/bold] wrote: Whilst I agree with both of the above comments, I do think that in this day and age this shouldnt be a problem as a large amount of people in the UK suffer from a nut allergy. The armed forces should be able to provide the correct food for people with these sort of allergys as they could be missing out on some real undiscoverd talent.[/p][/quote]Understand what you are saying but logistically, trying to isolate rations, which could have to be shipped to a warzone, for one or two individuals, is a nightmare and would not be possible 100% of the time. Imagine if there was a mistake and this lad had rations containing nuts by mistake. What would his colleagues prioritise, looking after him or getting themselves out of harms way. There are circumstances where the individual just has to say " it isn't for me under these circumstances and move on. At the end of the day he was made aware of the situation when he applied. PDY

3:38pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Gerrard2012 says...

There are several very good points contained within your comment and i understand that it is a lot more complicated than it seems. There are a number of factors that contribute to the reasons for not allowing people who suffer from nut allergies join the armed forces and it does look like it would cause more problems than good if they was to allow this young man into the army.
There are several very good points contained within your comment and i understand that it is a lot more complicated than it seems. There are a number of factors that contribute to the reasons for not allowing people who suffer from nut allergies join the armed forces and it does look like it would cause more problems than good if they was to allow this young man into the army. Gerrard2012

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