Peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-related death, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Given that, is it responsible for airlines to continue serving their passengers peanuts on planes?
The Transportation Department is considering a rule that would prohibit peanuts from being served on commercial aircraft, even though it has partially backed off on the proposal, because it lacked the authority.
Some say it’s about time the government takes action to protect passengers with allergies. Others say it’s an infringement of their rights to eat whatever they want, whenever they want.
What do you think?
I’m not sure the DOT’s recent reversal will mean the cause of banning peanuts is dead. Far from it. The allergy sufferers and their parents are likely to lobby the government until it does something about peanuts. So at some point, we’ll have to decide whether planes should go peanut-free. (Related: Phone calls on planes: Is it time to allow them?)
Do you suffer from peanut allergies? If so, how do you travel by air? Do you think mandating that airlines carry Epipen autoinjectors is an acceptable “middle ground” in this debate — or should the nuts be tossed altogether.
And to those of you who enjoy snacking on cashews, almonds and peanuts in-flight (full disclosure: I am one of them) — would you mind giving up your nuts when you fly? (Here’s our ultimate guide to travel food.)
Please take the survey or leave a comment with your opinion. Keep it clean, folks.
(Photo: Euro Magic/Flickr Creative Commons)
