Cite Health Risks, Salmonella Outbreak As Reasons They Prefer Pretzels

Concerns over allergies and a federal investigation into safety conditions at a Georgia-based processing plant resulted in a minor uprising at Northwest Airlines this month, when the carrier started serving peanuts onboard its planes.

CNN reports Northwest, peanut-free for years, introduced the snack food this month onboard its planes to bring the carrier's policy inline with that of Delta Air Lines, which bought out the Minneapolis-based airline last year.

Northwest introduced peanuts on February 1... right in the middle of a national salmonella outbreak tied to peanuts processed at Georgia-based Peanut Corporation of America. The health scare is the second involving peanut products in as many years.

Since then, several Northwest loyalists -- many already less-than thrilled to see their hometown airline taken over by Delta -- have deluged message boards at Northwest and local publications like the Minneapolis Star Tribune, expressing their fears about peanuts onboard airliners.

"This is a very disappointing development," responded one reader when the Star-Tribune broke the story. "My wife's allergy is so severe that if someone is sitting next to her and eating peanuts, the odor is enough to trigger an allergic reaction."

"Northwest is really out of touch with its customers and the reality of allergies to peanuts," added another. "What's wrong with pretzels?"

Based in Atlanta, Delta has served peanuts onboard its planes for years... reflecting Georgia's position as the top peanut-producing state in the nation. As with another carrier where peanuts are a snack staple -- Southwest Airlines -- Delta has faced a steady stream of complaints from passengers concerned about peanut allergies.

Over 3 million Americans suffer some form of allergy to peanuts or tree nuts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most severe reactions leading to difficulties with breathing, hospitalization and, in rare occurences, death. Even a small amount of peanut dust introduced into the air can lead to a reaction, if an allergy sufferer is seated nearby.

Delta maintains those with peanut allegies can fly safely onboard its planes, as long as the passenger alerts the airline to their affliction.

"We'll create a buffer zone of three rows in front of and three rows behind your seat," the airline's Web site says. "We'll also advise cabin service to board additional nonpeanut snacks, which will allow our flight attendants to serve these snack items to everyone within this area."

FMI: www.delta.com