Peanuts May Be Banned on Airlines: Do You Care?

on June 23, 2010 at 12:26 PM

peanuts Due to the large number of peanut allergies, the U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed banning peanuts on airplanes.

The public is asked to weigh in with their opinion, and there are apparently a lot strong opinions on the subject.

Do people really love their peanuts that much that this should even be a debate? Most airlines don't even offer a snack anymore, but if they do, wouldn't some crackers or an apple do just as well?

Is there something about peanuts that people just can't let go of?

Most people weighing in against the ban point to unproven science, the terms around what qualifies as a "disability," and the fact that if we start with peanuts, where will bans go from there?

And while it's true we can't ban every allergen, peanuts are a pretty easy one to tackle.

I like peanuts, a lot. But if my not eating them can keep someone from having a severe or deadly allergic reaction, then you know what, I can handle a few hours in the air without them.

What about you, would you desperately miss peanuts on airplanes?

Image via SearchNetMedia/Flickr

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: food, food allergies, products

Comments (5)

APeveteaux

on Jun 23, 2010 at 12:48 PM

Seriously, if people are complaining because someone with a life-threatening allergy trumps their need for a very specific salty snack in a very short period of time, they need to gain some perspective.

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CherBearCM

on Jun 23, 2010 at 1:06 PM

No it doesn't bother me. Peanut allergies can be absolutely deadly. Even if that allergic person has an epi-pen they're still going to need emergency medical attention which does not come quickly when you're on a plane that has to land. I think people can stand to not eat peanuts for a little bit. I just wonder about the person who brings them on the plane themselves... I guess we can only do so much.

EricaG87

on Jun 23, 2010 at 1:15 PM

I think it's a great idea. The difference between a peanut allergy and any other food allergy is that it can be airborne through the dust from the peanut and left on surfaces because of the grease. my daughter is anaphylactic to peanuts. Praise God she does not have an airborne allergy to it yet, but peanut allergies generally get worse with each exposure.

Nonmember comment from SKL

on Jun 23, 2010 at 1:29 PM

I could live with it. But since there are already airlines that don't serve peanuts, why can't people with peanut allergies just fly those airlines? I could see making exceptions where there is no reasonable alternative flight.

The bigger question to me is, why are there more and more severe peanut allergies? Is it exposure or lack of exposure or something else? It can't just be natural evolution. Why is it that in some countries, they have never heard of a peanut allergy? And if it turns out that you have an allergy due to choices your parent or doctors made, how far should my kids have to change their lifestyle?

Peanuts are healthy, convenient, affordable, and enjoyable. It is sad to see that what was a staple in my childhood (especially for folks without a lot of money) could become nearly inaccessible to my kids.