351: Anaphylaxis And Events: Why Allergy Safety Can't Be An Afterthought

When Kerry Washington recently shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live that she often eats in bathrooms at high-profile events because her food allergies aren't taken seriously, the allergy community felt it. And when FARE posted that clip, Jo Frost — who lives with life-threatening anaphylaxis herself — commented, "hear you and see you @kerrywashington DITTO."

That one word — DITTO — carried decades of lived experience.

In this episode of Eating at a Meeting LIVE, Jo and I talk about what it really means to navigate everyday life — restaurants, airplanes, school cafeterias, and event spaces — when a trace amount of nuts, shellfish, or airborne particles can shut down your body.

Jo has survived more anaphylactic shocks than she's willing to count. She's been dismissed in restaurants, pushed back on by airline crews, and told "it should be fine," even when the stakes were life or death. She's also been sounding the alarm for years, insisting that ignoring anaphylaxis is as dangerous as "putting a loaded gun in my face."

If you plan menus, host families, work in hospitality, or manage any food service environment, Jo's perspective is essential. Her story echoes what millions live with — and what our industry must do better.

Every Guest Matters. 🩷 Every Meal Matters.