Associated Press | The federal government is considering whether to ban peanuts from being served on board commercial airlines.
The U.S. Transportation Department says concerns from travelers with
peanut allergies prompted a call for public comment last week on
whether the snack should be regulated by requiring peanut-free zones on
planes or an outright ban.
Advocates say restrictions would ease the fears of an estimated 1.8
million Americans with peanut allergies, which can be life-threatening.
In Georgia, the nation’s top peanut-producing state, farmers are
already fuming. Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut
Commission, said growers feel they’re being singled out over other food
allergies.
“Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, said growers feel they’re being singled out over other food allergies.”
Dear Mr. Morris,
Why, yes, peanuts are being singled out over other food allergens. They are far more likely to result in deadly anaphylactic reactions than any other food allergen. They are also more likely to cause such reactions through airborne influence (that is, sans contact/ingestion). Because there is no way to prevent airborne influence, there is no option but a ban on peanuts on airplanes, or a ban on peanut-allergic people (which would be illegal per the American Disabilities Act).
Besides, you’ve already lost the war before this battle started. Only one major US carrier (I believe it’s Delta) still offers peanuts.
Signed,
An enlightened, but non-peanut allergic person
Why can’t people with peanut allergies simple not eat the peanuts? Why take this idiotic measure to effect millions of other fliers?
Why can’t people with peanut allergies simply not eat the peanuts? Why take this idiotic measure to effect millions of other fliers?
An enlightened, but non-peanut allergic person:
Let us turn the tables, why don’t people who allergic to peanuts stay off planes?
Why is it that the deficient party always gets the upper-hand?
Get the government out of issues like this.
Why can’t people with peanut allergies simply not eat the peanuts? Why take this idiotic measure to effect millions of other fliers?
The economy is going down the tubes. Spending is out of control. The Gulf is filling up with oil and our elected officials are spending time on whether peanuts should be allowed on planes. Please let’s vote these idiots out of office before they destroy the country!
I think the Airlines are behind this…pretzels are cheaper.
For those who are not educated on the potential severity of the peanut allergy, for some all it takes is touching a surface (like an armrest or tray table in an airplane) that has a trace of peanut residue to send someone into anaphylactic shock (as in, RESTRICTED AIRWAY, for those who do not understand). As the parent of a child whose allergy is that severe, I appreciate the possibility of a ban. Everywhere we go in public, we have to be cautious. It is extremely serious, and the general public should be educated for the safety of those who are affected.
How about requiring that peanut-allergic passengers carry sufficient epinephrine and diphenhydramine and demonstrate that they (or their parents) have received instruction from a nurse practitioner or doctor on how to use it before they are allowed to board a plane? Sure, banning peanuts sucks, but so does having to land a plane in the middle of nowhere because one person accidentally touched a peanut and is about to suffocate, or worse yet, having a peanut-allergic person die on board due to lack of available drugs and training to save their life. If they have an allergy, they need to be prepared whether they’re on a plane or not. People with bee sting allergies usually carry epi pens or Benadryl tablets in protective containers with them at all times. Why shouldn’t the peanut allergy folks do the same?
I agree with you that everyone with this allergy should always be prepared; however, even after administration of an Epi Pen, medical attention is usually required quite quickly. It is absurd to me that it would be thought that peanut-allergic people shouldn’t fly flying because airlines can’t find some other snack alternative.
A person with a highly sensitive peanut allery can react if someone else eats a package. A woman with peanut allergies who worked in Home Depot was assigned to cashier duty. A customer bought and ate a peanut candy bar and she suffered an attack. She had previously notified Home Depot of her allergy and requested peanuts be removed from the store or re-assignment away from cashier duties. They did not and she is now sueing them over the allergy attack.
To Jefferson and Common Sense: First of all, peanut allergy sufferers don’t have to eat peanuts to have a life threatening reaction. Secondly, is it that important to you to have that tiny little bag of peanuts instead of any other snack?
My 4 year old granddaughter has a severe peanut allergy. Touching a surface with peanut dust or breathing it would cause her to go into anaphylactic shock. Her parents have carried an Epi Pen since she was diagnosed at four months of age. Alhthough it would relieve some of the symptoms, it would not automatically “cure” her. She still would need medical attention.
So does this mean my granddaughter’s family should have to drive all over the country. Does that mean that they wouldn’t be able to fly to see me or on family vacations, simply because you want your precious little bag of peanuts. How arrogant and selfish!
really? peanit free zone? how about they create a simple iphone app with a list of all the no fly people. when some one buys a ticket, their name is crossed referenced, how about we concentrate on that FAA
You have to be kidding me. When will government get out of our lives. If these people would carry their meds with them, the whole world would not have to constantly adjust for only a few. Some schools even go so far as to quarantine a kid with a peanut butter sandwich vs the kid wwith the allergy. Go figure.
Ban Peanuts ? but not pets I’m allegic to pet dander yet some idiot with a “comfort ” pet gets to set off my allegies
I can’t get a “Special” seat without a extra payout yet they bring dogs of all kinds and cats too Peanuts to you I’ll take the peanuts please leave the “Pets” at home
Ban Peanuts ? but not pets I’m allegic to pet dander yet some idiot with a “comfort ” pet gets to set off my allegies
I can’t get a “Special” seat without a extra payout yet they bring dogs of all kinds and cats too Peanuts to you I’ll take the peanuts please leave the “Pets” at home
Ban Peanuts ? but not pets I’m allegic to pet dander yet some idiot with a “comfort ” pet gets to set off my allegies
I can’t get a “Special” seat without a extra payout yet they bring dogs of all kinds and cats too Peanuts to you I’ll take the peanuts please leave the “Pets” at home
This is nuts, literally. I can’t believe the notion of banning peanuts. I understand that some people have allergies – so don’t eat them! But leave the rest of us alone.
How can you look at this absurd idea and not conclude that government (at all levels) is just too damn pervasive? Jeeez, criminy – we’re talking about peanuts here !!!!!! 15 million people out of work in a crumbling economy and this is something we spend our time on?
For all of you with peanut allergies, the world does not revolve around you! Just like those who don’t like tobacco smoke, the world does not revolve around me or you either! With the rate we ban everything someone doesn’t like, no one will be able to leave their homes!
My dog gets sick when she eats candy bars. Ban candy bars! I get claustraphobic from too close seating on planes. I demand a ten by ten foot seating area just for me. And I demand that I have to pay no more for the space as that would discriminate against me! I get nauseous from the stink of perfume. Ban it! I’m sorry your kid gets sick from anything. Perhaps a bubble suit every time you leave your house would help????
i have read many of your posts-i have had this allergy since i was 3 years old. when you have this allergy people think that this is something in your head-that you are being dramatic. unless you are missing a limb or have a visible disability one passes judgement and think you will be fine-suck it up-it’s just peanuts. WRONG i have had peanuts mixed into bread, ice cream, salsa and all times i was rushed to the hospital since i could not actually see the nuts. the dust and smell from peanuts can bring on a attack. in elementary schools they are now banning all nuts from snacks so kids don’t become ill. so for all you people who would rather continue to serve nuts on planes remember carma is a *****-if i could change my dna and not have to suffer with this we would all snap our fingers and make it disappear. wake up and be a bit more kind.
I recently flew Southwest and got a few bags of peanuts, so you’re obviously ignorant.
I’m tired of the federal gubment attempting to limit my behavior based on its impact on a MINORITY. I fly four times a month, and if this goes through, I WILL be packing my own peanuts as an inflight snack.
“So does this mean my granddaughter’s family should have to drive all over the country. Does that mean that they wouldn’t be able to fly to see me or on family vacations, simply because you want your precious little bag of peanuts. How arrogant and selfish!”
To answer your question, yes, that is exactly what your grand-daughter’s family should have to do.
The number of people with a severe peanut allergy is statisticly insignificant. 0.5% of the population have any allergy to peanuts. If you can’t eat peanuts, then don’t eat them. If you have such a severe reaction that it is life threatening, carry an epi-pen. Youn can’t reasonably expect strangers to give up things for your convenience.
“Everywhere we go in public, we have to be cautious. It is extremely serious, and the general public should be educated for the safety of those who are affected”
Boo-hoo-hoo. Let me see you nuzzle your ba-ba. You whine like a mule! That is called life! Seems you need to be educated on what it means to live in a free society…..
It is not our responsiblity to give up everything under the sun just because a small fraction of the population has issues with it (real or perceived).
You object to peanuts but I bet you let your son drink flouridated water (Fluoride was used by Nazis to sterilize concentration camp inmates and make them docile. Fluoride is a key dumbing down ingredient of Prozac and Sarin nerve gas – Yet our government puts it in our water????)
If the allergy is that severe, it is your responsibility to take the necessary pre-cautions if your son does go into anaphylactic shock (like ALWAYS carrying an injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPen or Ana-kit). It is NOT your responsibility to use your son’s condition as an excuse to take away freedom of choice from anyone else because of it.
I am allergic to morons who don’t understand what the words ‘libery’ and ‘freedom’ mean but I can’t seemed to get them banned?
What are you going to advocate next – arresting someone for assault because your son is allergic to certain types of perfume????
I am sure your son (with your mentoring) will grow into a fine Nazi…I mean liberal progressive. He will have a fine career in the Minstry of Truth, Ministry of Love, Ministry of Peace, or Ministry of Plenty…..
Geeze folks – they are only peanuts…calm down.