No More Peanuts on Southwest?!?

Hello! Welcome to Beyond Soy!

Recently Southwest Airlines announced that they would no longer be serving peanuts as part of their in-flight snack and beverage service. Is this a good sign for the future of food allergies and intolerances during travel?

Reducing peanuts on airplanes is a sign of awareness of food allergies and food intolerances - IMAGE VIA PEXELS

As you might expect, Southwest's decision appears to be targeted to reduce the danger of flying for people with life-threatening peanut allergies. In a confined space like an airplane, the presence of peanuts can create a dangerous situation for people with these allergies. By removing peanuts from their planes, Southwest enables more people to fly and ensures a safer trip for those with peanut allergies. 

While not directly related to food intolerances and other non-life threatening food requirements, we hope that this change is an indication of an increasing trend toward openness and allergy awareness when it comes to airline food. When we fly, it's always a gamble to see what food will be soy-free. We have to wait and check the ingredients of the product when it is served mid-flight before deciding what to eat. Any increased information or sensitivity with regards to food requirements from airlines is a step in the right direction, and we'd love to see more visibility about ingredients and allergens from all airlines. Southwest's decision is a positive sign for things to come.

The future looks bright for flying with a food requirement! Where are you off to?