SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) is reviewing the serving of nuts on board its flights after a toddler suffering from anaphylaxis – an allergy towards peanuts – had a reaction on board a Melbourne-bound flight.
According to Australian media, the young boy’s family had requested a nut-free meal for the flight. The meal was served to him, but his eyes began to swell and he started vomiting after passengers opened packets of peanuts which had been served to them as a snack.
In response to queries from Channel NewsAsia, a spokesperson for SIA on Wednesday (Jul 19) confirmed that the incident occurred on board flight SQ217 from Singapore to Melbourne last Wednesday.
“As soon as our crew were made aware of the situation they immediately removed all packets of peanuts from the area around the affected passenger and his family. Our crew suspended the service of peanuts in the Economy class cabin for the remainder of the flight,” SIA said. “Following the incident, we are reviewing the serving of nuts on board our flights.”
It added that at present, customers with nut allergies can request a nut-free meal when making their booking, or at least 48 hours before their flight.
Responding to a comment on Facebook, the airline said even if it does not serve peanuts as a snack, it is “not able to guarantee a nut free cabin”. “We do not have any control over passengers consuming their own snacks or meals on board, which may contain nuts or their derivatives. We do seek our passengers’ understanding in this matter,” the airline said.
On its website, Singapore Airlines explained that a nut-free meal does not contain peanuts and tree nuts – including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, pecans and macadamias, and their derivatives. It also requested that passengers with a nut allergy take “every necessary precaution, bearing in mind the risk of exposure”.
Some major airlines have stopped serving peanuts on board its flights. According to its website, British Airways’ inflight meals do not contain peanuts, but said peanuts may be used as a snack in its airline lounges. Qantas has removed it as a bar snack on its flights and minimises the use of peanuts and peanut based products in its menus, its website said.
Nut free means including nut oil or nut condiments or ice cream that had nuts etc etc. Some individuals may have severe nut related allergies which can be fatal if not handled properly or taken too lightly, for granted.
Some Cost Saving For Airlines. Does This Means We Have No Nutty Passengers On Board ?
If the Airline take off nuts Passengers who loves nuts will go nuts if it’s taken off inflight. Millions of Passengers having to cowed down for a few allergy cases of nuts. If minutes details like not serving nuts near the allergy passenger inflight will be a good measure and replace with potato chips or Vanilla Wafers or optional choices will be a good option for the Airline.
Serving Nuts During In flight Does Help Calm Passengers Who Otherwise Will Be Bored With Nothing To Do Especially On Some Short Flight With No In flight Entertainment.
Very funny remove something just for the minority’s
*I sense majority privilege*
Well, as our national airlines. the move is good for all hope that peopls could understand this matbe by replaceing with others that may help and also that will help more clean in the cabin floor more clean. idea should look into it. The world is changing so do the airlines need more new idea too.
Now Maybe Stewardess Have Extra Work To Do Asking Passengers, “You Like Some Nuts?”. She Got To Be Careful Not To Bend Beyond 45 Degrees When Asking Male Passengers.
For the sake of an outspoken 0.0x% with severe nut allergy, SIA would stupidly review its protocols? Soon, the Pandora’s Box will pop open and they will have to pander to the demands of all allergy suffers!
The only people who need to be reviewed are these parents’ selfish and unthinking demands