Five-a-day is forbidden fruit for allergy woman

CHLOE'S BEEN AVOIDING EATING HER GREENS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS

- GEORGE JONES News Reporter

A SOLIHULL woman allergic to fruit and vegetables hasn't eaten a single green in more than 20 years - and says a bite could kill her.

Chloe Raisbeck, 27, first realised something was wrong when a bite from a peach caused her lips to swell and her throat to itch in May 2004.

She was diagnosed with oral allergy syndrome (OAS) - an allergy to any pollen-derived substances in January 2005 at the age of seven.

Recruitment consultant Chloe is allergic to 15 different fruits, vegetables and nuts and has avoided eating her five-a-day for 20 years.

She has developed a "fear of eating" and now relies on multi-vitamin supplements to get enough nutrients every day - and carries an EpiPen in case she goes into anaphylactic shock.

Chloe said: "My allergies came out of nowhere.

"I was able to eat fruit and vegetables normally with no symptoms but after taking a bite of that peach, my relationship with food has changed.