Peanuts may be banned from flying in the US
Source: Agencies |
June 13, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FEDERAL regulators are considering a snack attack on America's airlines that would restrict or even completely ban serving peanuts on commercial flights.
Advocates say the move would ease fears and potential harm to an estimated 1.8 million Americans who suffer from peanut allergies. Peanut farmers and food packagers, however, see it as overreaching and unfair.
"The peanut is such a great snack and such an American snack," said Martin Kanan, CEO of the King Nut Companies, an Ohio company that packages the peanuts served by most United States airlines. "What's next? Is it banning peanuts in ballparks?"
Twelve years after Congress ordered it to back off peanuts, the US Transportation Department gave notice last week that it's gathering feedback from allergy sufferers, medical experts, the food industry and the public on whether to ban or restrict in-flight peanuts.
The peanut proposals are listed in an 84-page document including several other proposed consumer protections for air travelers. Three options were given: banning serving of peanuts on all planes; prohibiting peanuts only when a passenger requests it in advance; or requiring a "peanut-free zone" flight when a passenger asks for one.
Peanut allergies can cause life-threatening reactions in people ingesting even trace amounts. Just breathing in peanut dust can cause problems.
Advocates say the move would ease fears and potential harm to an estimated 1.8 million Americans who suffer from peanut allergies. Peanut farmers and food packagers, however, see it as overreaching and unfair.
"The peanut is such a great snack and such an American snack," said Martin Kanan, CEO of the King Nut Companies, an Ohio company that packages the peanuts served by most United States airlines. "What's next? Is it banning peanuts in ballparks?"
Twelve years after Congress ordered it to back off peanuts, the US Transportation Department gave notice last week that it's gathering feedback from allergy sufferers, medical experts, the food industry and the public on whether to ban or restrict in-flight peanuts.
The peanut proposals are listed in an 84-page document including several other proposed consumer protections for air travelers. Three options were given: banning serving of peanuts on all planes; prohibiting peanuts only when a passenger requests it in advance; or requiring a "peanut-free zone" flight when a passenger asks for one.
Peanut allergies can cause life-threatening reactions in people ingesting even trace amounts. Just breathing in peanut dust can cause problems.
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