'Peter Rabbit' team apologises for making light of allergies

The character of Mr McGregor is allergic to blackberries. The rabbits fling the fruit at him in a scene and he is forced to use an EpiPen

FILE - This image released by Columbia Pictures shows Peter Rabbit, voiced by James Corden and Cottontail in a scene from "Peter Rabbit."  The filmmakers and the studio behind it are apologizing for insensitively depicting a character's allergy in the film that has prompted backlash online. Sony Pictures said Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, in a statement the film "should not have made light" of a character being allergic to blackberries "even in a cartoonish" way. (Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP, File)
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Peter Rabbit filmmakers and the studio behind it are apologising for insensitively depicting a character's allergy in the film that has prompted backlash online.

Sony Pictures said on Sunday in a joint statement with the filmmakers that "food allergies and are a serious issue" and the film "should not have made light" of a character being allergic to blackberries "even in a cartoonish, slapstick way."

In Peter Rabbit which was released this weekend, the character of Mr McGregor is allergic to blackberries. The rabbits fling the fruit at him in a scene and he is forced to use an EpiPen.

This image released by Columbia Pictures Sam Neill in a scene from "Peter Rabbit." (Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)
Sam Neill playing Mr McGregor in a scene from Peter Rabbit. Columbia Pictures / Sony via AP

The charity group Kids with Food Allergies posted a warning about the scene on its Facebook page Friday prompting some on Twitter to start using the hashtag #boycottpeterrabbit. The group said that allergy jokes are harmful to their community and that making light of the condition "encourages the public not to take the risk of allergic reactions seriously."

The new movie, Peter Rabbit, has a scene that may be disturbing to young viewers who have a food allergy. A character is...

Posted by Kids With Food Allergies Foundation on Friday, February 9, 2018

Kenneth Mendez, the president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, wrote an open letter to the studio Saturday asking for the opportunity to educate the company and the film's cast on the realities of food allergies and urged the studio to "examine your portrayal of bullying in your films geared toward a young audience."

The studio and filmmakers say that they, "Sincerely regret not being more aware and sensitive to this issue, and we truly apologise."

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