CDC warns of epinephrine shortage due to increase in pumpkin spice products in October

During the fall months three things are a certainty. The temperatures start to drop, retailer start the build up for Christmas and the food industry adds pumpkin spice to everything. Unfortunately a surprising percentage of our society has a pumpkin allergy. This increase in pumpkin spice causes an uptick in allergic reactions that require epinephrine.

This year has been worse than previous years according to our source at the CDC. Culinary schools have become so obsessive about gluten and nut allergies they are forgetting to mention pumpkin allergy.

Well meaning chefs have been adding pumpkin spice to many dishes to get into the sprit of the fall. Unknown to these chefs they should be adding a notation to their menus but they are not. Causing unsuspecting customers to go into anaphylactic shock.

Fortunately many of these people know about their allergy and know during this season there is an increase use of Pumpkin spice. These people are carrying their Epi-Pens.

For others though the situation can be dire. Many require a response from EMS and trip to the Emergency Room. For these people epinephrine is also typically administered.

Epinephrine is starting to become in short supply. The supply shortage is mostly linked back to increased use of pumpkin in the food service industry. It also has some links back to government stockpiling. Fears of chemical warfare in Syria caused the Department of Defense to increase military reserves incase we do send troops to that nation.

With Halloween only days away the CDC is sure there will be a spike in accidental cases of pumpkin induced anaphylactic shock. Once Halloween in over the build up to Thanksgiving will also see increased use of pumpkin as an ingredient.

Sources within the CDC tell us they have asked the DOD to release supplies from their stockpiles to aid the civilian population. Thus far the pentagon has not been willing.

In the mean time the CDC is calling for the food service industry to make sure to inform the public about menu changes that add pumpkin to items. They also urge people who suspect they may have an allergy to be proactive about asking to find out what exactly is in their foods.