Why is this allergy affecting so many people? I grew up on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and, peanut butter cookies.
At grade school, the cafeteria was filled with the smell of peanut butter and jelly. Some kids had jars of jelly and peanut butter, bread and a knife to make them fresh. Never did I see anyone collapse, stop breathing, and lose consciousness from anaphylactic shock. Now someone can collapse from kissing their peanut butter eating lover.
Our school cafeteria had bread & PB on each table in case somebody wanted more to eat than what was on their lunch plate.
Leading theory is the hygene hypothesis that we’ve gotten too clean and young children aren’t developing their immune system to recognize real dangers.
There’s nothing certain there.
Its possible, it can also be connected to our over process food problems.
I’m of the theory that we’ve gotten too used to fresh food no leftovers because food is thrown out or wasted too soon. It might be a combination of all those thing.
Another possibility I see is that kids are growing up with fewer brothers and sisters. I tend to think that there is some health problems associated with that, but I can’t figure out what.
I am puzzled by the peanut allergy situation. As you point out PB was everywhere when I was young and I can’t remember one kid having a problem Strawberries, certain seafoods and shell nuts yes, but PB no.