Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (13:05): James Tsindos was 17 years old when he unknowingly ate food containing cashews and died in hospital from anaphylaxis. His loss shattered his family, his friends and the broader community who loved him. In the aftermath James’s parents Harry and Venetia have sought answers and through their grief have worked to raise awareness about food allergies, which now impact around one in 10 babies, one in 20 teens and one in 50 adults in Australia. Together with Brighton Grammar, they put on Jam for James Day, an annual music event honouring their boy, a gifted pianist whose talent and spirit touched many. Jam for James Day raises funds for the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and has become a powerful way for students and the wider community to engage with food allergy safety.

The Tsindos family also seek lasting reform to ensure no other family endures what they have endured. That includes improving emergency care so that when anaphylaxis does occur patients receive the life-saving treatment that they need and, critically, stronger food labelling laws. In James’s case, the cashew product he ate was falsely labelled as cheese, a description that was misleading, life-threatening and in contravention of the national Food Standards Code.

So many parents and children live with the constant vigilance of managing food allergies, yet vigilance only gets you so far if the product itself is misdescribed. Allergens, particularly very common ones, should be clearly disclosed. Had they been, James would not have chosen the meal. I commend Harry and Venetia on their compassion and resolve in driving reforms that will save lives, a testament to their enduring love for James.