18 / FOOD SAFETY
No nuts, PLEASE It’s time for all airlines to introduce nut-free policies argues special meals manufacturer and dietetic meals specialist Marc Warde…
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t’s nuts, isn’t it, that something so delicious as nuts can actually be life-threatening to some people, and even kill. Even madder is the fact that this seems to be an issue few in the airline industry dare broach. So what is the right thing to do about the consumption of nuts during flights? The truth is, most of us know but who among us is brave enough to act? Here I want to lay out some facts and fiction to help those responsible for the decision-making to fully understand.
Rising risks Peanut allergies among children in Western countries have doubled in the past decade. Peanut allergies are emerging in Africa and Asia too. Research shows that 1.76% of people in the UK have tree-nut allergies; while in the USA, more than 3.9 million people have tree-nut allergies and 6.1 million people have peanut allergies. In 2015 research showed that nearly 100,000 new nut allergy cases were being diagnosed annually in the USA and UK. Additionally, 1 in 50 primary school-aged children were affected in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia. Alarmingly, in the last two years alone these and other food allergies have risen 300% worldwide in children. This is unprecedented.
means danger for those with severe nut allergies. Exact risks and distance dangers within the cabin vary by individuals but there are multiple reports of passengers sitting as far away as 10 rows from nut eaters and having allergic reactions. Diverting an aircraft because of a severe allergic reaction is expensive and inconveniences the other passengers. It makes sense to avoid this on many levels beyond 'just' the passengers health.
Spurious ‘arguments’ There are numerous spurious arguments offered against removing nuts from aircraft. They include claims that it’s difficult to stop passengers from bringing their own nuts onboard; that it’s wrong to tell a passenger that they can’t have something they want; that nuts are part of some peoples' culture; that those with severe allergies should not fly or should wear masks; and even that for those who love eating nuts, eating them is a right. Such voices remain loud. That doesn’t mean they should dominate the argument. A generation or so ago, smoking on flights was commonplace. For the good of all passengers, bans were introduced and now anyone flouting the rules can face a fine and possible arrest. Why can’t we have similar regulations for consuming nuts?
Nuts onboard
Saving lives
Aircraft are essentially flying tubes travelling at high speed with recirculating air and that
There are some simple fixes for ending this danger. It would be easy at the point of booking tickets to inform passengers that an airline is nut-
onboardhospitality.com
Food safety Marc - nuts v4.indd 18
12/7/22 03:32 PM