A STUDENT from Farnham who is so allergic to peanuts that he could die if he were to kiss somebody that has eaten nuts that day has launched a new business offering recipes which avoid all of the EU’s 14 major food allergens and animal products.

Oliver Weatherall, 22, a former Barfield schoolboy and business student at Exeter University, has had to be meticulous about who he comes into contact with for more than a decade, and can’t even give somebody a peck on the cheek without checking first what they had eaten.

He said: “There have been people who have died kissing their other half. It is something that can kill you and it is not worth the risk.

“It is not as simple as asking ‘have you eaten a peanut?’ or ‘have you had a Chinese or an Indian?’ It could even be someone who has kissed someone and I would have to check with them. People without allergies won’t necessarily think to tell you.”

Oli, whose family home is just off Waverley Lane, was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy at the age of 13 after he tucked into a slice of buttered toast and his entire body broke out in hives - because the knife had been used to spread peanut butter before being cleaned.

“When that happened, I had absolutely no idea I was allergic to peanuts so it was extremely scary,” he added.

The student has walked out of restaurants where he felt unsafe and hasn’t eaten out for more than a year because he finds it too stressful.

Oli said: “At meal times, you are at real risk of dying just from food. If the staff aren’t knowledgeable, I am not willing to put my life in their hands. Also if I think a product might be unsafe, I will check if the company sells any products that contain peanuts and if they do, I won’t buy it. I have learnt to trust my intuition.”

In July, Oli suffered another life-threatening reaction after he was splashed with beer at a pub while watching England play Croatia in the World Cup semi-final, and was rushed to hospital after going into anaphilaxic shock.

Oli is also allergic to sesame, sulphites and coconut and has to steer clear of student favourites such as hummus, cider, wine and Asian foods fried in peanut oil. He has had more than 15 allergic reactions, some so severe he has had to monitor himself for days afterwards in case he has a repeat episode.

Oli is vegan and launched his own Instagram page - Free From Fourteen Vegan - full of useful recipes which avoid all of the EU’s 14 major food allergens and animal products.

He started the enterprise after his fear of eating out led him to become a seasoned home cook and also hopes to write a recipe book and help as many people as possible living with severe allergies.

Oli said: “I found with certain recipes, I couldn’t use them because they had allergens in them and I could not find an appropriate replacement and replicate it. I thought why don’t I remove all the main 14 food allergens and then the large majority of people will be able to use my recipes without having to replace the ingredients.”

Oli is taking a year out from his degree while he focuses on developing his new business.