Nut Allergy Warning and then Serving
Jan 4, 2018, 5:31 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 389
my daughter suffers from a peanut allergy and our experience with BA has been particularly good, in stark contrast to UA who have on a recent occasion suggested she not board a flight, despite us calling and emailing in advance to notify them. As mentioned previously, BA allow pre-boarding so my daughter can wipe down the armrests, tray table, etc and have always made an announcement asking that no peanuts be eaten by passengers. Sadly we frequently hear other passengers huff and puff with the "oh, there's always one" and "they just think they're special" kind of comment.
I was also under the impression that BA do not use peanuts for any meals now, though it seems I was misinformed.
I was also under the impression that BA do not use peanuts for any meals now, though it seems I was misinformed.
Jan 4, 2018, 5:41 am
#33
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I'm not sure I'd take a casual remark on here about a dessert being topped with peanuts as evidence of that. It's pretty unusual to use peanuts in desserts, especially as a topping. I'd imagine it was more likely some form of tree nut which would look similar.
Jan 4, 2018, 5:42 am
#34
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I'm genuinely curious, what do you do when the seat belt sign is on while cheesy meals are being served around you?
Jan 4, 2018, 5:54 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Doesn’t surprise me
Flew Manchester to Heathrow on Tuesday 3rd in CE, on boarding a passenger told the crew about a peanut allergy and made an announcement about not selling and asking passengers to refrain from eating peanuts.
Meal was served and the desert has peanuts on the top , I asked if this was sensible as they had given a peanut warning , i was told it wasn't a problem due to the passenger being down the back of the plane.
I am no expert in either allergies to peanuts , but would it be worth the risk in serving desert ?
Meal was served and the desert has peanuts on the top , I asked if this was sensible as they had given a peanut warning , i was told it wasn't a problem due to the passenger being down the back of the plane.
I am no expert in either allergies to peanuts , but would it be worth the risk in serving desert ?
Whenever I fly I always inform the airline that I would like a nut free meal but almost every time I fly I will be served nuts at some point (usually with a drink). Usually the airline will make multiple attempts to serve me nuts. I have never been offered an alternative and they have never asked about the severity of my allergy.
Now as I said my nut allergy is mild but I do have sympathy for those with a severe allergy. This is a well known and widespread condition and I am surprised that some people on this thread are so unsympathetic. Do you need to eat nuts? No. You want to eat nuts. And for that you would put someone else’s life in danger?
The idea that you can simply remove yourself from the area is non-sense. I know this from experience. When you are in a middle seat and people on either side of you have just been served nuts and a drink the idea you can remove yourself before someone opens a packet is not realistic.... And of course some airlines serve bowls of hot nuts which they parade up and down the aisles. (Yes this usually triggers an asthma attack in me.). God knows what this would do to some small kid with a severe nut allergy.
To the person with the cheese allergy. I love cheese. I mean REALLY love cheese. But if I were sat by you I will happily forego my cheese if it make the trip more bearable for you.
Lastly a thought. Wouldnt the world be a better place if people were just a little more considerate, less selfish and more concerned with others than their right to eat nuts?
Wishing everyone good health, peace and a great year ahead wherever you are travelling.
Jan 4, 2018, 5:58 am
#37
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,060
Yes, although it would be best to administer one before you go into an “anaphylactic state.” Most sufferers can tell very quickly if they have been exposed to an allergen.
Last edited by muscat; Jan 4, 2018 at 6:00 am Reason: Addition.
Jan 4, 2018, 6:01 am
#38
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: aeroplan
Posts: 158
I am fortunate not to suffer from any allergies (at least, that I’m aware of!) but for those who have a serious nut allergy it can cause life threatening anaphylactic shock.
As others have discussed, the risk from airborne particles is less than via contact, but it’s a case of doing what you can to minimise that risk.
Those with serious allergies often carry “epipens” with which ti inject themselves in case of an allergic reaction. However, this is quite unpleasant(!) and prevention is better than cure.
There is also a problem of ‘compliance’: many teenagers, in particular, don’t carry their epipens with them all the time - it is seen as a “disease talisman”, something which marks them out as different at an age when they simple want to fit in. In turn this makes needless, preventable deaths more likely. Former colleagues of mine have looked at ways to improve this, through different forms of education of the teenagers themselves.
As others have discussed, the risk from airborne particles is less than via contact, but it’s a case of doing what you can to minimise that risk.
Those with serious allergies often carry “epipens” with which ti inject themselves in case of an allergic reaction. However, this is quite unpleasant(!) and prevention is better than cure.
There is also a problem of ‘compliance’: many teenagers, in particular, don’t carry their epipens with them all the time - it is seen as a “disease talisman”, something which marks them out as different at an age when they simple want to fit in. In turn this makes needless, preventable deaths more likely. Former colleagues of mine have looked at ways to improve this, through different forms of education of the teenagers themselves.
As with many impairments, this is actually best practice (and, I’d like to think, common courtesy): discuss someone’s needs in a way that respects their dignity, and take it from there.
Jan 4, 2018, 6:04 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 448
Ah ok, thanks for that info. I had no idea at all about the how the condition developed if someone is exposed to their allergy trigger.
Jan 4, 2018, 6:07 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: london
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 266
I would never knowingly eat nuts if I knew someone had an allergy but I have frequently been mistaken by the contents of snacks I have especially where the packaging is of a non latin alphabet. I remember on one occasion munching my way through some sandwich biscuits that turned out to have a peanut butter filling. The picture on the packet looked like those cheese sandwich biscuits.
Jan 4, 2018, 7:04 am
#42
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ/YTZ/YUL
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 1,558
Surely somebody who is so severely allergic to anything, let alone something they know will be present on an aeroplane (in the seat, etc.) will have at least one epi pen on them.
Jan 4, 2018, 7:43 am
#43
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Exec
Posts: 647
9 times out of 10 it's not really a big deal, at least not based on my experiences. Most people seem to be understanding.
Jan 4, 2018, 7:54 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
I personally feel for people who really do have severe allergies, and is surely only a minor inconvenience to those who must have a bag of self provided peanuts on board.
The key point here is self provided. BA have had a peanut policy in place since the early 90's covering various situations and product make up to boot. They have had a 100% ban on any products containing peanuts globally since June 2000, that being across the board including on the ground and in the air. What I don't know is how this is policed in third party lounges for instance.
Upshot - no need to panic about BA knowingly serving any products containing peanuts across the spectrum, as they have not done for the last 17 years. This of course does not account for any individuals actions, and the necessary caution must be taken at all times.
The key point here is self provided. BA have had a peanut policy in place since the early 90's covering various situations and product make up to boot. They have had a 100% ban on any products containing peanuts globally since June 2000, that being across the board including on the ground and in the air. What I don't know is how this is policed in third party lounges for instance.
Upshot - no need to panic about BA knowingly serving any products containing peanuts across the spectrum, as they have not done for the last 17 years. This of course does not account for any individuals actions, and the necessary caution must be taken at all times.
Jan 4, 2018, 8:18 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
^ I imagine they will use substitute nut mixtures to get the satay flavour too. The product specifications will no doubt use the phrase "may contain", denoted by a MC on the allergen listing sheets. All this means is that the product has been made in an area such that there is a possible chance of allergen cross contamination during the production process, for instance if sufficient cleaning routines have not been completed after producing products containing peanuts. This could actually be said for just about anything in food production if errors are made, but again i would not recommend anyone consume product that has the "may contain" phrase if there is a remote chance reaction.