A woman was simply trying to enjoy her peanut chocolate bar on a flight. But instead, a fellow passenger decided to take a bite out of the fun and police her on what she can and cannot eat.
Her video sparked an intense debate online, with one side saying, “Imagine thinking your candy is more important than a person’s life.” Another side declared, “Eat those peanuts! Other people’s allergies are not your problem.”
A TikToker was enjoying a beloved Kiwi chocolate when a fellow passenger allegedly told her to stop eating it
A woman known as life_with_madi to her 62.8K followers on TikTok was stunned when a fellow passenger on her flight allegedly told her she shouldn’t be eating her Whittaker’s peanut slab.
Sharing the moment online, the TikToker was seen midway into eating her sweet treat when the fellow passenger bitterly said she shouldn’t be eating it on a plane because people allergic to nuts could have anaphylactic shock.
An anaphylactic shock is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing.
The video began with life_with_madi saying it’s her “birthright” to eat one of the most popular chocolates made in New Zealand.
“I’m a Kiwi,” she said. “It’s my birthright. I’m just eating my peanut slab in peace and quiet.”
The video-maker explained that a fellow passenger behind her made an out-of-nowhere statement, saying, “Thank God I’m not anaphylactic.”
Her video sparked a fiery debate over whether passengers should avoid nuts on flights for the sake of those with severe allergies
Her video sparked an intense debate about the responsibility passengers should take when it comes to severe allergies.
“People are insane. They literally serve nuts on flights. If someone is severely allergic, they need to let the airline know so the crew can create a buffer and brief those around them,” one said.
Another wrote, “if someone was THAT allergic, they should have let staff know, and the staff should have let the passengers know latest by boarding the plane. Im not gonna precautiously not dare to do anything just in case because of a ‘what if’… this is not about being selfish.”
Several people with a peanut allergy or related to someone with an allergy also shared mixed opinions.
“As someone who is anaphylactic… eat the peanuts. My allergy is not your problem – I will take extra precautions, but I dam well ain’t going to tell a stranger to not eat something…” one said.
Another echoed similar sentiments, saying, “As someone that is allergic to nuts – I dont have a problem with you eating them near me. My problem is not your problem. Carry on.”
“That’s really selfish and dangerous,” one commented on her video
On the other hand, one parent said, “My son is highly allergic to peanuts. we have to travel with 2 epipens on a plane and pre-dose him with antihistamines because of people like you. you’re within your right to eat them for sure, but when you’re in an enclosed space it plays a different risk, especially in the air. a bit of respect goes a long way – it’s not about it being airborne, it’s about he fact it takes a small touch on a surface (E.g. toilet door) and then my son reacts.”
The TikToker later shared an update where she asserted that she wasn’t trying to be malicious or unempathetic when she ate the chocolate or when she subsequently shared the video online.
She also said she did some research and found that when it comes to an allergic reaction to peanuts, the danger is less from inhaling particles and more from touch or taste.
While severe peanut allergies can cause life-threatening reactions, research largely does not support the idea that someone eating peanuts elsewhere on a plane is likely to trigger anaphylaxis through the cabin air.
Researchers recently pointed out that there is a common misconception that allergic reactions can occur from inhaling aerosolised peanut and tree nut particles
They said no evidence was found related to peanut or tree-nut allergens being transmitted through aircraft ventilation systems in a way that could cause reactions.
life_with_madi shared a follow-up video to give more context to viewers about the peanut incident
What would be a more effective way to reduce the risk of a reaction from someone with an allergy would be to wipe down surfaces like tray tables, seats, and other surfaces, because the chances of a reaction being caused by touching or accidentally consuming the food is much higher.
Caroline Nilsson, a researcher at the Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, conducted a series of trials to see whether airborne exposure, or simply being around peanuts, would be risky for people with a peanut allergy.
thayra83/Adobe Stock (not the actual photo)
She made 84 children with a peanut allergy sit about 1.6 feet away from a bowl with 300 grams of peanuts.
“It went perfectly fine. Two of the children had mild symptoms, itching of the eyes, but no one else had any reaction,” Caroline said.
Picture Partners/Adobe Stock (not the actual photo)
Caroline did, however, note that anybody who has experienced a severe allergic reaction from ingesting peanuts in the past might also have a reaction to the smell of peanuts on a later occasion. But this is not exactly an allergic reaction, because the substances that trigger an allergic reaction are not the same as the substances that are perceived as the smell of peanuts.
While smelling the peanuts, “your body may have a reaction to this. The immune system can be activated and play a trick on you. However, this is not an allergic reaction and there are no severe symptoms that occur in that way,” Caroline said.
“I’m confused, if they didn’t announce that someone has an allergy, why is it a problem if she eats it?” one commented online
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