I was just on United (haven’t flown in ages) and was surprised to see the same thing.
The prevalence of self-reported peanut allergy in this cohort of US children not selected for any disease was 4.6% (Table 2), higher than previously reported estimates of self-reported peanut allergy among US children of comparable age (Table 1). Similarly, we observed a 5.0% prevalence of “clinical peanut allergy” according to sIgE-based criteria that previously resulted in a 2.7% prevalence among comparably aged children in the 2005–2006 NHANES study.7 Within Project Viva, the 4.9% prevalence of peanut allergy defined by both sensitization and prescribed epinephrine auto-injector was similar in magnitude to the estimates defined by self-reported allergy and sIgE-based “clinical allergy” criteria.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4149917/
Please note I am NOT minimizing these issues.
I am sure that I, growing up in the 60s and 70s never heard of peanut allergies nor autism. I know they are unrelated but I note their growth seem to have been concurrent. It is also interesting to note that child endangerment in general seems to have also risen (no facts or data — these are off the cuff observations).
I am not alone in asking what the heck is causing all this? Are they related? Is it pollution? Water? Rising expectations?
Anyway I don’t care that much about losing peanuts on flights (I assume they will substitute pretzels which is what AA did eons ago).
ML/NJ
Considering how life threatening peanut allergies can be to someone sensitive, it’s probably a good idea to not hand them out in a confined place with no access, or no quick access, to emergency medical care.
It’s not about allergies, it’s about cheap, cheap, cheap pretzels.
Southwest has the best free snacks. Peanuts was the lowest on the list of my choices.
Want free drinks on SWA? Bring some good quality candy like Ghirardelli or Lindor chocolates for the flight attendants.
So are peanuts going to be banned on the plane? How do you stop people from bringing “peanut” related items on the plane?
Heard this this AM and what an earth shattering report.
AKA who frigen cares
Please, parents, introduce your kids to peanut butter early.
Also, Trump is bashing Europe (which ever so deserves bashing) over their limits on US agricultural imports. But as I understand it, a lot of that has to do with Europe turning down GMO foods—which I think is the right way to go.
I’ve got an idea. If you are allergic to peanuts, don’t eat them. If you’re not sure, don’t eat them. Period.
“”Southwest said the airline would still permit individuals with a peanut allergy to board aircrafts in advance so they may clean seats and trays.””
That’s a good plan...travelers with peanut allergies can board early to clean the seats! You know that’s not a bad idea. But if they’re not serving peanuts, why would anything need to be cleaned of peanut residue?
Why should it matter that someone has an allergy to peanuts or to anything? I react horribly to people’s perfume and the smell of certain materials - can’t stand to go to a yardage shop - if they even exist anymore. Nothing more irritating than to go to a movie and sit by someone who reeks to high heaven of foul smelling perfume...
Can women OR MEN passengers object and demand airlines to bar anyone from boarding with malodorous whatever?
When do we sane, normal, logical, sensible persons get some special recognition?
.
Sorry to see SouthWest caving to this insanity.
From now on I will bring bags of peanuts to munch loudly and visibly.
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“These pretzels don’t even make me thirty!”
When I was in elementary school (way back in early 1970s), my mother packed peanut butter sandwiches in a Partridge Family lunchbox, usually with a Twinkie or a banana (both were considered healthy back then) and a thermos full of whole milk.
Never heard of a peanut allergy back then.
I have no idea what happened since. I don't deny that people have peanut allergies but what changed? This was never a problem back then.
Our long national nightmare is over.
I bring my own Cashews, yawn...
It’s probably a sensible policy for a company that operates for hours in the air distributing constantly recirculated air. Likely insurance company “suggestions” had no bearing on this decision.