The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is weighing new rules designed to protect air passengers, including one that would restrict airlines from serving peanuts.
In announcing these proposed measures in early June, DOT said it seeks “to provide greater access to air travel for individuals with severe peanut allergies in light of the significant number of children diagnosed with peanut allergies, some of whom do not fly because of health concerns related to peanut service on aircraft.”
The proposed restriction could work in one of three ways:
•Ban the serving of all peanut products on domestic flights and international flights to and from the United States.
•Ban the serving of all peanut products on flights where a passenger with peanut allergy requests a peanut-free flight in advance.
•Require a peanut-free buffer zone in the immediate area of the passenger with a documented severe allergy to peanuts if a peanut-free flight is requested.
DOT is accepting public comments, and Allergic Living strongly urges that you show your support for one of the options or just the proposal in general. For details on how to do so, see this Forum thread. There are many critics of this proposal and the peanut-growing states, concerned about their agri-industry, are raising strong objections.
Posted: June 10/10
