Julie Campbell, the President of the Illinois Food Allergy Education Association wrote the Chicago Tribune, in response to a news report saying that in order to remain in business, budget airlines become too crowded and too busy, and cannot afford to have their aircrafts properly cleaned. For people with severe food allergies, this scenario can be dangerous.

There are two things that struck me while reading this article. One, while I wouldn't really expect airlines to be 100% safe for people with allergies, I fully agree that a cleanliness standard for airlines has to be put into place. Considering the number of people confined in such a small place, cleanliness is a public health concern.

Two, I am aghast with the unsympathetic reactions Ms. Campbell's note elicited. One said:

Just a quick thought Julie - you have food allergies? Take care of them yourself - you're old enough to write a letter, you're old enough to make sure you don't eat something you're allergic to. There are many serious diseases out there with no cure on the horizon - I'm pretty sure your petty allergies would be among the least of concern.

That last sentence shows we've got a loooong way in educating people about food allergies.