The Peter Rabbit movie isn’t out in Ireland for a month but it’s already creating negative attention over in America.
The movie, which has a host of huge stars voicing the main characters and stars our own Domhnall Gleeson, has been criticised for making light of food allergies.
In the movie, which is based on the popular Beatrix Potter books, rabbits can be seen attacking Mr McGregor, played by Domhnall, with blackberries which he is allergic to, with the intent of harming him. As a result, he has to use an epinephrine drug to avoid serious harm.
The Kids With Food Allergies Foundation took to Facebook to complain about the movie and also wrote an open letter to the distribution company, Sony Pictures. In the post they said:
“The new movie, Peter Rabbit, has a scene that may be disturbing to young viewers who have a food allergy. A character is intentionally attacked with his allergen, leading to anaphylaxis and the use of epinephrine. Parents should be aware of this before your children see the movie so you can talk with your child(ren) about it.
KFA believes that food allergy “jokes” are harmful to our community. During a reaction, patients require the life-saving drug epinephrine and must go to the nearest hospital for follow-up treatment. The very real fear and anxiety that people experience during an allergic reaction (often referred to as an impending sense of doom) is a serious matter. Making light of this condition hurts our members because it encourages the public not to take the risk of allergic reactions seriously, and this cavalier attitude may make them act in ways that could put an allergic person in danger.”
Other people took to Twitter to complain about the jokes used.
As a mother of a toddler allergic to several foods, I am disgusted that Sony would make a joke out of flicking an allergen at a food allergic individual. Doing so is felony aggravated assault! What kind of message does that scene send to kids?! #boycottpeterrabbit
— hydrogirl71 (@hydrogirl71) February 10, 2018
As a father of a son who has allergies to peanuts, milk, egg I refuse to watch #PeterRabbit because @SonyPictures is sending a message it’s ok to bully kids with allergies and making it a joke to get a few laughs! What a disgusting thing to do! #boycottpeterrabbit
— L.M. Thomas (@adaddyforlife) February 11, 2018
As a result, Sony Pictures issues an official apology for the joke saying:
“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.”
