Peter Rabbit film criticised for depicting 'allergy bullying'

Scene in which rabbits attack a man with blackberries, knowing he is allergic to them, condemned as dangerous Rabbit film is facing a boycott over a scene in which a gang of bunnies attack a man with blackberries, knowing he is allergic to them.

Several groups representing allergy sufferers have condemned the scene, prompting the hashtag #boycottpeterrabbit on social media. Australian group Global Anaphylaxis Awareness and Inclusivity (Globalaai) has created a petition asking distributor Sony Pictures to apologise, saying the film “mocks the seriousness of allergic disease and is heartbreakingly disrespectful to the families of those that have lost loved ones to anaphylaxis”.

The American group Kids with Food Allergies Foundation said in a Facebook post warning parents about the film that “food allergy ‘jokes’ are harmful to our community”.

“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,” it said.

Another US group, Food Allergy Research & Education also posted a warning to members over the content of the film. Parents of children with allergies expressed their dismay over the scene on social media