Nut allergy
Feb 16, 2019, 3:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: Global Mercenary
Posts: 193
Agree completely. I think all airlines should make it clear that no public space can be 100% guaranteed allergen free for all allergies. They shouldn't be held accountable for "causing" an allergic reaction. Those with anaphylactic level allergies need to travel with appropriate medication and those with GI type allergies should avoid any publically prepared food.
Feb 16, 2019, 8:01 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors, Virgin
Posts: 766
Thanks for the replies. Just to be clear at no time have I thought or said that nuts should be banned on board. However having eaten many Danish Pastries, maybe too many looking at my waistline, over the years I have never had an allergic reaction to one. It is an allergy I have had for over 45 years and know the signs well, and for those who may suggest was I sure it was that which caused it, yes I am.
My concern is that the cut and paste answer potentially doesn't take the matter seriously, especially in light of the recent Pret case. A thorough investigation couldn't have taken place in the few days between reporting and receiving the answer, and I seriously doubt if the CC saved it for investigation. Maybe that should be the procedure for the very few cases where this issue may occur.
My concern is that the cut and paste answer potentially doesn't take the matter seriously, especially in light of the recent Pret case. A thorough investigation couldn't have taken place in the few days between reporting and receiving the answer, and I seriously doubt if the CC saved it for investigation. Maybe that should be the procedure for the very few cases where this issue may occur.
Feb 17, 2019, 6:36 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
Thats a lot of people to psychologically screen each day! As for the plant ones there is no guarantee that people wont bring their own nuts on board. If you have an allergy it is your responsibility to protect yourself with no expectation for other people to comply with all requirements.
Feb 17, 2019, 6:43 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
My concern is that the cut and paste answer potentially doesn't take the matter seriously, especially in light of the recent Pret case. A thorough investigation couldn't have taken place in the few days between reporting and receiving the answer, and I seriously doubt if the CC saved it for investigation. Maybe that should be the procedure for the very few cases where this issue may occur.
Feb 17, 2019, 7:44 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Just being pedantic but Cashews are seeds not nuts. Seeds of the cashew fruit.
Feb 17, 2019, 3:21 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club Blue
Posts: 969
No. SOP is to suspend serving of any nut-based snacks, make an announcement to request passengers refrain from consuming any nut-based snacks, and to offer wipes for the seat area. Crew will also enquire as to whether the passenger has an EpiPen with them, and whether they are travelling with someone who can administer it if necessary (if there’s no companion or a medical professional on board, crew can do this - the on board medical kit contains an EpiPen).
Feb 17, 2019, 3:38 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Cambridgeshire
Programs: Varies
Posts: 1,297
We travelled in F to KUL last week. I refused the pre flight nuts as I have a mild allergic reaction to walnuts. I had a discussion with the CC about it. On getting to breakfast time I just ordered the fruit but also a Danish pastry to go with the coffee. As soon as I bit into the pastry my walnut reaction started. I was feeling pretty rough and spent some time vomiting in the restroom. The final 2 hours of the flight was a bit of a write off, me having to drink copious amounts of water to offset the reaction. The CC were very good and a golden ticket has been awarded accordingly. They were surprised, as was I , about the Danish containing walnuts as they believed they knew all products on board which contained nuts. They also said they were making a note in the trip report.
I emailed BA a few days later explaining the issue and have copied part of the reply:
"Thanks for letting us know what happened on your flight to Kuala Lumpur on ## February. I apologise for the delay in my response. I completely understand why you’re annoyed your Danish pastry didn’t meet the standard you would expect from us.
We’ve investigated the issues you’ve raised and we’ve examined the ingredients in the meal you were served. We haven’t found any evidence that might suggest your pastry contained any ingredients that should not have been present, or which were not declared."
They also offered 10k Avios. I don't have any other allergies and I have no doubt that this contained, or had been in contact with, walnuts
Is this reasonable for BA to be so lax about what was a potentially much more serious issue?
Thanks
I emailed BA a few days later explaining the issue and have copied part of the reply:
"Thanks for letting us know what happened on your flight to Kuala Lumpur on ## February. I apologise for the delay in my response. I completely understand why you’re annoyed your Danish pastry didn’t meet the standard you would expect from us.
We’ve investigated the issues you’ve raised and we’ve examined the ingredients in the meal you were served. We haven’t found any evidence that might suggest your pastry contained any ingredients that should not have been present, or which were not declared."
They also offered 10k Avios. I don't have any other allergies and I have no doubt that this contained, or had been in contact with, walnuts
Is this reasonable for BA to be so lax about what was a potentially much more serious issue?
Thanks
Feb 17, 2019, 4:06 pm
#25
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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And while we are at it, peanuts aren't nuts either, they are a legume, and should be regarded as beans. Hence those with peanut allergy are often fine with conventional nuts. And vice versa, nut allergy people are often ok with peanuts.
Feb 17, 2019, 4:08 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Glasgow and Asia
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 510
Allergies are a strange one (disclaimer my PhD is Cell Biology and not immunology). I get a bad reaction to mosquito bites in asia so always have anti histamines.
Once in the Andaz in Aerocity Delhi I had an asthma attack (first time ever in 53 years). Next time was 18 months later, overnight in the Bloc hotel LGW, into the BA 1st lounge and half way through breakfast I had the same. No reason, no connection. But on both occasions, because i have antihistamines I got over it in 20 mins. Now I have a Salbutomol inhaler as a counteractive.
I always get really mildly short of breath from my cat once a year (probably something he is encountering on his morning Pee/poo routine, and really badly from my mother in laws dog. But not from other dogs. So probably something he encounters on his walks.
I live with it and like the benefits from pets etc so willing to have drugs as a precautionary measure. Sat next to the cat without any issues just now.
If I was you, I would get some drugs to carry just in case. Good for peace of mind :-)
Once in the Andaz in Aerocity Delhi I had an asthma attack (first time ever in 53 years). Next time was 18 months later, overnight in the Bloc hotel LGW, into the BA 1st lounge and half way through breakfast I had the same. No reason, no connection. But on both occasions, because i have antihistamines I got over it in 20 mins. Now I have a Salbutomol inhaler as a counteractive.
I always get really mildly short of breath from my cat once a year (probably something he is encountering on his morning Pee/poo routine, and really badly from my mother in laws dog. But not from other dogs. So probably something he encounters on his walks.
I live with it and like the benefits from pets etc so willing to have drugs as a precautionary measure. Sat next to the cat without any issues just now.
If I was you, I would get some drugs to carry just in case. Good for peace of mind :-)
Feb 18, 2019, 3:59 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
Sorry to hear that! I am really disappointed to see the response from BA.
This is why I always assume cross-contamination will happen, and have a protocol for that kind of thing. Do you have steroids in case this happens? It's a good step before actually having to use an EpiPen. Either way, I'd talk about this experience with your an allergy specialist
This is why I always assume cross-contamination will happen, and have a protocol for that kind of thing. Do you have steroids in case this happens? It's a good step before actually having to use an EpiPen. Either way, I'd talk about this experience with your an allergy specialist
Feb 18, 2019, 4:40 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors, Virgin
Posts: 766
Sorry to hear that! I am really disappointed to see the response from BA.
This is why I always assume cross-contamination will happen, and have a protocol for that kind of thing. Do you have steroids in case this happens? It's a good step before actually having to use an EpiPen. Either way, I'd talk about this experience with your an allergy specialist
This is why I always assume cross-contamination will happen, and have a protocol for that kind of thing. Do you have steroids in case this happens? It's a good step before actually having to use an EpiPen. Either way, I'd talk about this experience with your an allergy specialist
I'm a bit limited here WIFI wise but will follow up with BA on our return in a few weeks as I just don't think saying it's all fine is not acceptable. I'm OK with the Avios offered BTW.
Feb 18, 2019, 4:51 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
It's like no nuts are actually nuts. Which is, dare I say nuts.