U.S. May Ban Peanuts On Planes Because Of Allergies

Filed in archive Food Allergies on June 16, 2010

© EuroMagic

There is an estimated 1.8 million Americans suffering from peanut allergy. Now, the Federal Government is considering restrictions and even a total ban on serving peanuts on board commercial airline flights.

While advocates are glad that the said would put ease and potential harm to many sufferers of peanut allergies in the U.S., peanut farmers and food packagers said that would be unfair to the legume.

There were 3 options suggested on the move to restrict or totally ban peanuts on planes: banning service of peanuts on all planes, prohibiting peanuts only when an allergic passenger requests it in advance or requiring an undefined 'peanut-free zone' flight when a passenger asks for one.

The Transportation Department is now gathering feedback from allergy sufferers, medical experts, the food industry and the public on whether to ban or restrict serving of peanuts on planes.