SIA reviewing serving nuts on flights after toddler's allergic reaction to other passengers eating peanuts

Singapore Airlines is reviewing the serving nuts on flights after a toddler had an allergic reaction to peanuts that were being consumed by other passengers.

According to ABC News, the incident took place when Australian couple Chris and Hong Daley were travelling home with their 3-year-old son, Marcus, from Thailand on board a Singapore Airlines flight last Wednesday (Jul 12).

Marcus, who suffers from anaphylaxis, received a nut-free meal during the flight as requested by his parents.

However, his father Chris, a doctor specialising in respiratory issues, said that other passengers who were served peanuts opened their packets all at once. According to him, a 'mist' and smell' from the nuts then filled the cabin.

Chris said:

"With peanut dust, when you open a packet, part of what you can smell is tiny fragments of peanuts which are going up into the air.

"He (Marcus) started vomiting, his eyes were starting to swell and he couldn't speak properly."

Chris had adrenaline pens and medicine with him at that point of time, and managed to bring Marcus' allergic reaction under control.

An SIA spokesman told The Straits Times on Wednesday that crew members immediately removed all packets of peanuts from the area around the family as soon as they were made aware of the situation.

Said a spokesman:

"Currently, customers with nut allergies can request for a nut-free meal at the point of booking or at least 48 hours before their flight,"

"Following the incident, we are reviewing the serving of nuts on board our flights."

SIA has also reached out to the family and is in contact with them.

A friend of the Daley family who was also on the flight wrote a complaint to Singapore's national carrier via Facebook following the incident.

She was then informed by the airline that they do not have control over what passengers consume on flights.

Marcus' mother Hong felt that their concerns had not been adequately addressed.

SIA has an advisory on its website with information for passengers with nut allergies.

Read the advisory:

"We’ll make every reasonable effort to accommodate your request for a nut-free meal. However, we’re unable to provide a nut-free cabin or guarantee an allergy-free environment on board.

"It’s not unusual for other passengers on our flights to be served meals and snacks containing nuts or their derivatives.

"We also have no control over passengers consuming their own snacks or meals on board, which may contain nuts or their derivatives.

"We request that you take every necessary precaution, bearing in mind the risk of exposure.

"If you have any concerns about your fitness to travel, we encourage you to share this information and discuss your travel plans with your doctor."