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Policy Panorama

Policy Panorama is a place to discuss the laws, systems, and norms that impact our lives and the planet. We welcome thoughtful discussion on policy and policy-adjacent topics at all levels, from the international to the local.

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How Policy Fails People with Food Allergies — and What We Can Do

5 min readMay 12, 2025

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Photo by author

**May is Celiac Awareness Month

The café exuded warmth the minute I stepped in. Soft, golden lighting bathed the room in a cozy glow. A swinging chair hung from the ceiling, playfully inviting me to relax. Green plants dotted every table, adding a fresh touch to the rustic décor.

The space was intimate yet open, with wooden tables that seemed to say: “Sit — stay awhile.”

As someone who’s used to scanning every menu for that one “safe” option, I was overwhelmed (in the best possible way) by the choices here. I didn’t have to settle. I wasn’t limited to a single dish. I’d been traveling to Puerto Vallarta this week, and for the first time all trip, I could eat whatever I wanted to, without fearing the aftereffects.

Let’s just say I indulged. Ordered a bacon-wrapped shrimp burger, a hefty salad, a hibiscus lemonade, a fruit tart, and a rich chocolate mousse to go. All without hesitation.

I spent a hundred dollars on that meal. And I’d do it again.

Policy Panorama
Policy Panorama

Published in Policy Panorama

Policy Panorama is a place to discuss the laws, systems, and norms that impact our lives and the planet. We welcome thoughtful discussion on policy and policy-adjacent topics at all levels, from the international to the local.

Eleni Stephanides
Eleni Stephanides

Written by Eleni Stephanides

LGBTQ+ writer and Spanish interpreter who enjoys wandering through nature, reading fiction and mental health content, speaking Spanish, and petting cats.

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