The chief executive of Allergy NZ says a "nightmare" flight that forced two allergic UK siblings into the toilet because they were serving nuts shows airlines need to make drastic changes to food serving practices.
Mark Dixon said many airlines around the world are starting to accommodate the various menu requirements for passengers due to allergies and faiths, but resistance still remains.
"It's not an easy answer because the airlines have to guarantee the safe passage of all their passengers or refuse to take them if they can't, that's their right," Mr Dixon said.
"Quantas and China Airlines offer 10 different meal options now. Our national carrier still only offers three. But you know, we never used to have meal options, it was never even thought about."
Of these options there is vegetarian, coeliac, gluten free, as well as faith based options.
Mr Dixon's remarks followed two UK siblings spending seven-and-a-half hours in a plane toilet after the airline they were traveling with served nuts during the flight.
The two, who both had a severe nut allergy, had warned the airline when booking, checking in and boarding the flight.
"I hope it's not true, I really do, it sounds like an absolute nightmare and a terrible way to manage what's becoming quite a widespread issue," Mr Dixon said.
"It's pretty divisive, as you know, nuts on planes and having to make allowances for other people's dietary needs. It's a bit of a hot topic at the moment, so I guess the question is 'who's responsible?'"
Mr Dixon said the people who seem to be most vocal about having restrictive menu options are the ones who have never witnessed someone suffering a serious allergic reaction.
Air Canada is one airline that has embraced the allergy issue, Mr Dixon says, having installed a buffer of two rows of passengers either side a food allergy sufferer when they serve sensitive food.
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