Perils for passengers with nut allergies

More than 90 million passengers are carried on Australian flights each year, with 1–2 per cent reporting they have documented food allergies. Dr Mark Hew and colleagues from The Alfred conducted a survey of all domestic and international airlines that fly from Tullamarine to assess their nut
allergy policies.

The researchers found that 61 per cent of airlines had online or telephone hotline information about nut allergy policies. Only a minority of airlines were able to provide nut-free meals.

“Nine airlines (27per cent) offered nut-free meals: two routinely and seven on request. For the other airlines, nut-allergic passengers would need to fast (only practical on short domestic routes) or bring their own food,” Dr Hew said.

One third of the airlines could restrict the distribution of packaged nuts on flights if required.

Only one airline operating from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport confirmed that emergency adrenaline was available on all flights.

For nut allergic individuals, the authors recommended that they contact their airline before travelling, develop an allergy plan with their doctor, carry their own emergency adrenaline, and consider bringing their own food.

“Airlines should make their nut allergy policies more accessible and consider carrying emergency adrenaline on all flights,” Dr Hew said.