Earlier this year, Sony Pictures Entertainment released the movie "Peter Rabbit." In the movie, a character with a food allergy is intentionally targeted. Other characters attack him with the food he is allergic to which causes anaphylaxis.
The movie is now available for streaming and will be on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc soon. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has joined with the Allergy & Asthma Network, Food Allergy Research and Education, and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team to ask that Sony include a statement about the seriousness of food allergies, anaphylaxis and food allergy bullying in online streaming rentals and DVD and Blu-Ray purchases.
We will keep you updated on Sony’s response. In the meantime, help us spread awareness by letting your friends, family and child’s school staff and caregivers know about this upsetting scene. Also, learn how to talk to your family about the movie and food allergy bullying.
April 23, 2018
Tony Vinciquerra
Chairman and CEO
Sony Pictures Entertainment
10202 West Washington Boulevard
Culver City, California 90232
Robert Lawson
Executive Vice President & Chief Communications Officer
Sony Pictures Entertainment
10202 West Washington Boulevard
Culver City, California 90232
Dear Mr. Vinciquerra and Mr. Lawson,
With the upcoming release of the movie “Peter Rabbit” on online streaming and DVD/Blu-ray, many families will have added opportunities to watch the food allergy segment that features an intentional food allergy assault and makes light of this potentially life-threatening condition. As a community of national patient organizations, we write to urge you to provide food allergy education and messages that promote positive attitudes and safe environments for those living with food allergies.
Furthermore, we urge you to include in each online streaming rental and DVD/Blu-ray purchase of “Peter Rabbit” a statement on the seriousness of food-allergic reactions and information about the harmful impact of food allergy bullying. This is especially important for young audiences because exposure to such imagery, dialogue and attitudes during such a formative time in their lives may influence them socially and psychologically and suggest food allergies are not to be taken seriously.
On NoAppetiteForBullying.com, a website that raises awareness of food allergy bullying with the goal of creating solutions and encouraging food allergy acceptance, we encourage children, parents and teachers to be advocates against food allergy bullying. We hope you will promote this website in all release materials to ensure the film’s audiences are educated about food allergies and empowered to support those living with the condition.
We are available to discuss this request further and look forward to your response.
Regards,
Tonya Winders
President and CEO
Allergy & Asthma Network
Kenneth Mendez
President and CEO
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Eleanor Garrow-Holding
President and CEO
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team
James R. Baker
CEO and Chief Medical Officer
Food Allergy Research & Education
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