Banning nuts from aeroplanes may not effectively protect individuals with allergies and could instead foster a false sense of security, according to a letter published in the Guardian today. Alison Smith, a mother of a child with anaphylactic allergies, expressed sympathy for the concerns of those flying with allergies but stated her firm opposition to such bans.
Smith argues that food bans do not enhance compliance with allergy safety measures. She recounted an experience last summer where flight crew served cashews, an anaphylactic nut for her child, despite passengers being given wipes to clean tray tables.
Her child's most severe allergy is to lentils, which she notes can be airborne and serious in tiny quantities, similar to peanuts. Smith described her family's approach to managing risk, including deep cleaning their row on flights, packing their own food, and briefing flight crews on allergies and EpiPen locations.