Why Good PR Matters to Allergic and Atopic People

I am writing this with my PR cap on. Despite the years of research and evidence on the subject, some companies just don't understand good crisis communications. So, what is good crisis communications? Essentially, it's having a strategic communications plan to deal with any possible problem (even ones you can't imagine) that may arise in the future. While the specifics vary, the basics work in every situation.

1. Accept responsibility and be honest
2. Apologize (and mean it)
3. Be quick and accurate in your response

There is certainly much more to it than that, but again, those are the basics. I think the fourth is that if at all possible, avoid the crisis in the first place. Good crisis communications matter for every company and it is especially crucial for companies who gear their products or services to those with health conditions - like food allergies or eczema - that can be exacerbated when something goes wrong in their product line.

Recently there have been quite a few companies who have had issues with their product lines or with not meeting customer expectations in some fashion - Maple Leaf Foods, Aveeno, Zero8, Enjoy Life and Sweets From the Earth. However, they've all dealt with their issues a bit differently. Maple Leaf Food and Aveeno have unfortunately taken a much more subdued approach to serious issues, while Zero8, Enjoy Life and Sweets From the Earth have acknowledged the severity of the problems accordingly and as a result have certainly proven that they take their devotion to their customers seriously.

As a little history lesson, the Tylenol case is a benchmark for amazing crisis communications. In the 1980s, a still unidentified individual tampered with their product, lacing capsules with cyanide. There were many deaths attributed to the product tampering. As a result, Tylenol implemented industry-changing procedures and technologies, including caplets and tamper-proof seals. They also cooperated fully with all law-enforcement personnel and participated in a complete recall of their product. Most importantly, even though they were not responsible for the tampering, they accepted full responsibility and took whatever measures possible to ensure the product became safe. It's hard to imagine Tylenol as anything but a trusted brand nowadays.

More recent examples of good PR are Enjoy Life Food's recent reaction to the corn issue and though it's getting a little old as a case study, Nestle's response to parents of children with peanut allergies. In both circumstances, both companies faced a backlash from parents regarding potential cross-contamination to an allergen. Nestle faced a backlash from parents when they announced a previously nut-free production facility was to be transitioned to produce chocolate products which did contain nuts. While the initial response was apologetic, the company refused to make any changes. However, realizing that more than money was at stake (Nestle experienced a financial loss in changing their position), Nestle decided to keep the production plant peanut-free.

Currently Enjoy Life is experiencing backlash from parents for various reasons, all involving the potential inclusion of corn in some of their products, mostly due to the potential of cross-contamination. Some of this has been due to unclear and misleading labels on third-party sites and incomplete labelling on Enjoy Life's part. For a full description, please read the most recent statement by Scott Mandell, CEO and Founder of Enjoy Life Foods.

However, there is no doubt that none of this was done with any intention of misleading the public, since Enjoy Life is dedicated to providing a trusted product free of the top eight allergens. It would be unlikely that they would intentionally jeopardize that position by purposely misleading customers on product contents which have the potential to harm children - their primary end customer. Could their packaging have been clearer? It seems so. However, are they making amends, being honest, taking responsibility and doing everything possible to correct the situation? I believe they are. This is a great example of company transparency.

Zero8 and Sweets From the Earth have a more direct correlation to the Tylenol case study. Their products were contaminated through no fault of their own, though obviously these weren't cases of tampering. However, Zero8 (gluten contamination) and Sweets From the Earth (dairy contamination) accepted the severity and temporarily ceased production of frozen foods in the case of Zero8 and in the case of Sweets from the Earth, carried out a recall. Both companies made public statements through their websites and social media. The amount of transparency demonstrated by these companies is exactly what a consumer should hope to see from companies.

Enter Aveeno and Maple Leaf. The two stories are similar to each other in that the responses are inadequate, yet one company seems to have gone out of their way to mislead while the other is experiencing a crisis not necessarily of their own making.

A batch of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Lotion was found to be contaminated with Staphylococci, a fairly innocuous bacteria which is present on skin - innocuous unless you have atopic dermatitis. In that case, the fallout can be mild to severe. The link to the recall on Aveeno's US site (this is a localized contamination) reveals their recommendations regarding potential adverse affects. I have not included the entire release in the interests of keeping this as short as possible and I have highlighted the parts with which I take issue in yellow. 

JANUARY 27, 2012 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. Q: Why are you recalling these products?
   A: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. is initiating this retail-level recall as a precautionary measure after post release testing of a product sample by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That test indicated that one lot exceeded the specifications for common bacteria, though extensive testing by an independent laboratory afterward did not show that specifications were exceeded. However, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. has voluntarily initiated this recall out of an abundance of caution. This action is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse events and the potential for adverse health effects is remote...
2. Q: Can consumers continue to use their AVEENO^® Baby Calming Comfort^® Lotion?
   A: Consumers do not need to take action and the potential for adverse health effects is remote. Of course, anyone who has concerns or is uncomfortable using the product may discontinue use and call our Consumer Call Center...
3. Q: Are there health effects associated with the reason for this recall?
   A: This action is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse events and the potential for adverse health events is remote. No action is required by consumers; however, if consumers have questions or would like a refund, they should call our Consumer Call Center...
4. Q: Should consumers return this product?
   A: Consumers do not need to take action and the potential for adverse health effects is remote. However, if consumers have questions or would like a refund, they should call our Consumer Call Center...
5. Q: Will you provide consumers with a refund?
   A: Yes, we will offer consumers a refund. Consumers do not need to take action and the potential for adverse health effects is remote. However, anyone who has concerns or is uncomfortable using the product may discontinue use and call our Consumer Call Center...

Key messages are great, but we all remember situations where someone on the news who is clearly uncomfortable with the media seems to repeat one or two things every time he or she is asked a question by a reporter. It comes off as too rehearsed and therefore, not genuine. The fact is that for the regular population, adverse health effects are certainly remote. However, not so for any child with atopic dermatitis. Aveeno is a trusted name when it comes to eczema skin care; so, the absolute lack of any reference to this condition is not just an oversight. It's an omission.

When it comes to Maple Leaf Foods, I have to say I'm shocked that they've actually purposely mislead the public. I honestly hope to see an explanation that proves the contrary, especially considering their PR regarding listeria deaths in Canada, not that long ago, was viewed as brilliant crisis communications. They did everything right. They shut down their plant to clean it properly and then implemented proper procedures to ensure that it didn't happen again. Their spokesperson, CEO Michael McCain, was sympathetic and accepted responsibility.

So, the Natural Selections meats with "celery extract" that is bio-chemically identical to nitrites is not a good example of transparency. A lot of people have spent extra money to purchase this product for the sole fact that the ingredient list is small, pronounceable and nitrite-free. They thought it was "natural". They accepted a high sodium content, believing that salt was the preservative. Instead, Marketplace, CBC's consumer magazine show, did some research and revealed the truth. Maple Leaf's response?

"We care deeply about the integrity of the products that we produce and the labelling is accurate," said Randy Huffman, chief product safety officer with Maple Leaf Foods. - "Maple Leaf Foods changes misleading product labels", 02 February 2012, CBC.ca

According to Marketplace, Maple Leaf will be changing their labels to reflect the fact that the products do contain nitrite, but they haven't accepted any responsibility for what is now seen as the purposeful misleading of the public to capitalize on the public's appetite for natural products.

I like to keep track of these things for various reasons. It tells me a lot about a company. While I can't use Aveeno products due to allergies, I now wonder about their production methods since they haven't released any information about how the contamination occurred and they haven't accepted full responsibility or made proper statements for part of their target market, infants with atopic dermatitis. Maple Leaf has misjudged their public this time. Personally, this has made me question the integrity of their business practices and their products. A food company must always be trustworthy.

The lesson for anyone with allergic or atopic conditions is to pay attention to the companies you frequent. Understand their practices and make sure you are comfortable with them. Should a crisis occur, that is often the best time to see what a company is truly made of. If they are sympathetic and take responsibility, that's a company you want to give your business to. If they lack transparency and try to avoid the issue and responsibility, you might want to consider taking your business elsewhere. Reward those who respect their customers.

How to Write Satire: My Response to Marty Beckerman

I generally don't get involved in silly things like this. There are plenty of ignorant people in the world - some by choice and some through no fault of their own. I don't read comments on news stories let alone contribute to the vast wasteland of misspelled, grammatically incorrect and illogical comments.

"Trial by Peanut?"

I have to admit I've never heard of Marty Beckerman. After having read his articles "Your Peanut-Allergic Kid is a Little Goddamn Pussy" (missing a much needed comma) and its slightly less vitriolic follow-up "How to Defeat Your Bully: The Art of War for Peanut-Allergic Kids", I can easily say I will go back to my ignorance of his existence. Not because I hate Mr. Beckerman. I don't know him. Not even because he said a bunch of fairly horrible things about children either. After all, Jonathan Swift made a pretty great case for eating babies.

However, unlike Jonathan Swift, Beckerman is a pretty inept, self-titled "satirist". Satire is more than just saying offensive things and throwing in a lot of profanities. If that's all it took, the poor, homeless mentally ill gentleman who makes the rounds in my downtown city would certainly qualify.

Satire exists to make a point. Satire is brilliant because it points out the ridiculous and makes one think about the core truths without the author being so boring as to list them. Satire is witty, interesting and challenging. Beckerman's posts are just rambling profanities with pictures.

If I look really hard, Beckerman is probably trying to tell parents that they should teach their children how to deal with allergies. However, what Beckerman missed is that children are children. They can't always take care of every problem they have, no matter how stellar their parents are. Otherwise, they'd move out of the house at 10 and get their own jobs.

"Get a real job!"

Satire is a subtle creature. For instance, I could certainly get upset with people who honestly think food allergies are a way to weed out the weakest parts of the population. Or, I could agree. After all, they may have a point. Allergies are a harmful genetic mutation. They serve no good in the gene pool. In fact, neither do cancer, diabetes, asthma, multiple sclerosis or macular degeneration. Come to think of it, those whose bodies aren't capable of fighting off influenza, tuberculosis or polio are genetic weak links. Plus, if we could eliminate the need for medications like insulin, vaccines, inhalers and anti-histamines, we would be saving quite a bit of money. There would be some job losses, but no one likes pharmaceutical companies anyway. Scientists could be put to better use, like finding out how to reverse climate change. And for those who end up dying, well, that's a bonus for their families, too. Sure, the family members have to foot the bill for a funeral, but that's got to cost far less than a lifetime of medicine and doctor visits. Frankly, I think if you put this case to every allergic child, they'd agree that it's best that they just stay home and don't receive treatment. It's for the good of the entire world really.

That is satire. It's possibly not well-written, but still satire. So, instead of being really upset with Mr. Beckerman because he demonstrates just how ridiculous a lot of people really are, I think it's better to work towards educating people. All that energy can be put to some really great causes, like making sure every school in Canada and other countries have access to epinephrine and training on how to use it. Chances are anyone who reads poorly written things like his posts regularly can't be approached with logic anyway.

NOTE: I have not linked to Mr. Beckerman's posts. If you haven't read them, they're easy to find if you wish to do so. I will, however, link to A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift.

REVIEW: Waiting for My Ange-Gardien Chocolates

February 2nd
Since I'm a single gal & my birthday is coming up, I decided that there was every reason to treat myself. The one thing, actually two things I've been dying to try are the Chocolate Tasting Box and the chocolate with crunchy salt flower caramel from Ange-Gardien (Guardian Angel Foods). I have to admit that the little pop-up picture (on the right) totally sold me when I first checked out their site.  So, I've placed the order through their on-line system, which is available in English and French. Sadly, it won't be shipped until February 8th, but it should arrive on February 10th. I think I can hold out for a week!

February 6th

I received a Canada Post email - on behalf of Ange-Gardien - which let me know my chocolates have been shipped - two days early! The email notification is such a great gesture.

February 8th

My chocolates arrived two days early, which is entirely lovely. Everything was packaged quite well; so, it arrived in perfect condition. The second I took a few pictures, I tried the salt flower caramel chocolates. All in all, these are pretty good. They are packaged in a little cellophane bag with a chocolate brown bow - perfect gift packaging. I will admit that I prefer bittersweet chocolate; so, I found these quite sweet, but if you love your chocolate sweet, you'll adore these. If you've got children, they'll gobble them up tout de suite.

Allergy-wise, Ange-Gardien products are free of dairy, nuts (peanut and tree) and eggs. The Tasting Box contains wheat, soy and dye and the Chocolate with salt flower caramel contains soy and may contain wheat.

February 10th
The salt flower caramels have long-since disappeared. They were amazing with a cup of Early Grey tea. I have a few of the Tasting Box chocolates left. Each one is a perfect, little chocolate square containing a delicious, gooey centre in one of the following five flavours - Honey and Caramel, Chocolate Ganache, Coffee, Maple Butter and Salt Flower Caramel. I won't even attempt to pick my favourite since they were all wonderful.

All in all, this was a wise investment. I quite love these chocolates, which will sadly be gone by tonight. I highly recommend these chocolates (allergies-willing) for your allergic sweetheart.

Let's Talk About Depression

I love Bell's Let's Talk initiative for a bunch of reasons. The first is that throughout the day, Bell contributes five cents from every long-distance call, text and official retweet from their customers toward mental health. The second is because Bell actually accomplishes its other goal - to get people talking about mental health. The third is because they focus on the "health" part of this condition, not the illness part. It's about starting a conversation, creating awareness and getting rid of the stigma associated with the condition.

I've posted before about depression as an integral part of the atopic-allergic triad (World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Week). Whatever the link, it's not something to be ignored. As a child, teenager or adult with multiple atopic and allergic conditions, it's almost unfathomable that one wouldn't experience some dark times and some dark thoughts. However, how many times is depression really discussed as part of medical treatment? It should be and if you or someone you care for has multiple allergic or atopic conditions, I encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.

Today is a great day to start having that conversation with others. If you're the one suffering silently, don't. You are certainly not alone and there is nothing wrong with having depression. There is something wrong with not getting help. If you are the parent, partner or friend of someone with allergies and atopy and you think that they're depressed, start this discussion. Let them know you're there to talk and offer support if they decide to seek professional treatment.

No one who understands atopic conditions or allergies would tell someone with either (or both) to "buck up and get over it". Allergies and atopy don't work that way. Neither does depression. Allergies and atopy can require medication, treatment and in the case of eczema even behavioural modification. Depression is no different. It requires care, treatment and understanding.

So, start talking.

My Allergic/Atopic Valentine

Chocolate, flowers, stuffed animals, perfume and jewellery - that pretty much sums up most Valentine's Day presents. Not that there's anything wrong with them, though I'm not sure what to do with the stuffed animals, except give them to my niece.

So, I think we can do better. And, if you have an allergic/atopic girlfriend or boyfriend, I know we can do better.

1. Massage - You have two choices here. DIY or book a single or couples massage at a spa. If DIY, look for a basic massage oil that does not contain your beloved's allergens. A massage oil with a grapeseed base is usually pretty safe. Common allergens found in some massage oils are sweet almond oil, soybean oil and other nut oils. If in doubt, buy a pure, food-grade grapeseed or avocado oil from your local health food store. To make it a little bit more aromatherapeutic, add a couple of drops of lavender or rose. Stay away from essential oils like peppermint since it's an irritant. Remember that many essential oils can irritate if applied directly to the skin, undiluted. Just a couple of drops pre-mixed with the massage oil will do. A note about fragrance, just because it's pure, doesn't mean it's problem-free. Even natural scents can cause respiratory, nasal and/or skin reactions, like contact dermatitis . If in doubt, skip the scent entirely. Focus on creating an inviting atmosphere with heated towels, relaxing music and unscented candles.

If you've decided to go all out and book a massage with a registered massage therapist, do your research and pick a reputable place like spas in hotels or salons that carry your favourite vegan brands. When making the booking, make sure they are aware of your girlfriend's/boyfriend's allergies and can accommodate. If you get the sense that they don't "get it" over the phone, find another place or find another gift.

2. Chocolate - Good quality chocolate that is free of dairy and nuts is a difficult thing to find. Cross-contamination is a common thing in chocolate processing. There are some allergy-free chocolates available, but sadly they're not always great quality. Pacari is a great chocolate since it's pretty much dairy-free. However, there are nuts in some of its products. However, chocolate availability is different from city to city. So, find your nearest and best chocolate boutique and have a face-to-face conversation. When chocolate wrappers say "may contain", it usually does contain. This year, Ange Gardien (located in Boucherville, Quebec) is offering lovely, boutique-style chocolates which are egg-free, nut-free and dairy-free. Any guy who did his research and bought me these, would definitely be in my good books!

3. Jewellery/Watches - You really can't go wrong here, as long as you're buying something of quality. Be aware of nickel allergies. If you're buying that stunning, diamond solitaire in a platinum band, you're probably okay. Local artisans are very aware of what they use in their jewellery; so, email or talk to a designer your beloved admires in order to find something that works. Something else to consider this year is MedicAlert's line of beautiful and casual bracelets - leather, beads, crystals and silver. These might not be worn everyday; so, a special and thoughtful gift for that special someone is appreciated. Make a gift certificate for them and participate in the ordering process.

4. Flowers -With flowers, unless you know for certain that your Valentine is okay with them, it's best to avoid this entire gift giving category. If you decide to go ahead because of experience, stick with low-pollen flowers, like orchids, hydrangeas and pansies. CasaSugar has a great list of Low-Pollen Flowers. What's available will depend on where you live; so, ask your florist for advice.

5. Dinner - Those of us with food allergies can get a little tired of always having to interrogate the restaurant staff about everything before we put it in our mouth. So, once again, you have two choices, DIY or find a safe place. In the case of DIY, it's more than okay to discuss with your girl or boy ahead of time if you don't know everything he or she is allergic to. Ask questions and be interested. It shows a level of dedication that is certainly romantic.

If you're going to take your sweetheart out to a restaurant, try to stick to either a cuisine or restaurant with which they're comfortable. Valentine's Day is about being romantic and showing you care, not having an adventure (a.k.a. trip to the ER). Talk to your significant other and make sure they're comfortable and call the restaurant ahead of time to book and discuss allergies with them. Valentine's Day is busy; so, make time a few days in advance to speak to the chef and advise him or her of the allergens to be avoided. On the day of, tell your server of the allergies and that you've spoken to the chef. A written card with the allergies on it is a great way to make sure no miscommunication happens on a busy night. Review my previous post "Eating Out With Allergies" for more tips.

6. Perfume/Cologne - Skip it. With the countless chemicals and scents contained in any vial of perfume, you're doomed before you begin with this present. From contact dermatitis - allergic and irritant - to asthma and nasal reactions, you can't win. So, unless your darling has requested something specific, keep shopping.

7. Movie Night - This can be as simple as agreeing to see something at the theatre (that you wouldn't otherwise agree to) or spending a wonderful night in with a few movies, wine and allergy-free snacks. This can be as fancy or as casual as your relationship calls for.

The real advice here is to think differently. Valentine's Day is a day to go out of your way to show that special someone you love them. It's not about the amount you spend, but how you spend it. For anyone with atopic conditions or allergic conditions, there are things that are difficult to arrange or obtain. Really think about it. Is it an allergy-free dessert that they didn't have to bake themselves? Perhaps a nice dining experience in which you've already briefed the chef ahead of time so they don't have to. Maybe it's their favourite moisturizer that they have to mail-order to get or a set of bamboo sheets in a beautiful colour so they can have a good night's sleep.

In the end, maybe it has nothing to do with allergies or atopic conditions at all. A visit to a great art gallery exhibit followed by drinks at a nice wine bar can be a great way to spend an evening. Romance is in the eye of beholder.

Improvement or Cure?

I used to work in a ophthalmology clinic. When I first started, part of my duties included talking to patients about their treatment options and what they could expect after treatment. The big word was "improvement" - one we've all heard, but one that means so many different things. In a medical setting, the word "improvement" is not synonymous with the word "cure". In an ophthalmology clinic, improvement could mean better contrast or reading an extra line on an eye chart. It is almost never perfect vision. Improvement, especially in cases of allergy and atopy, can mean a partial or temporary alleviation of symptoms.

The reason why this is important to understand is because thinking about allergies and atopic conditions in these terms can help one cope throughout life. It's optimism tempered with reality. There may one day come a cure (hopefully, soon), but until then, there isn't. So, instead of chasing non-existent cures or expecting miracles from any kind of treatment, what parents and patients should be looking for is the treatment option that leads to the best improvement.

I'll use my atopic dermatitis as an example of improvement. My skin has been visibly affected by over three decades of trauma. At present, I do not have any major flare-ups. Everything is under-control. So, at this moment, it's a question of maintenance. To maintain this level of improvement, I have to ensure that I continue my skin care regimen. It's not romantic or miraculous. I never found a cure and no one thing has lead me to this level that I am at currently.

Still, it's improvement. I don't lay awake itching like I did as a child. I don't have to put socks over my hands, but I do keep my nails short. I don't have to use corticosteroids every day, but I always have some on hand in case I need it.

I like to brag that my immunologist gushes about my skin whenever I see him. Not because it's flawless, but because the texture has improved. It's not something I could have imagined when I was young. I also couldn't have imagined that I would wear t-shirts, despite the areas of depigmentation on my elbows. More importantly, I never guessed that I would genuinely like the way I look when I see myself in a mirror.


All of that is improvement. It's not a cure, but it's pretty spectacular nonetheless.

Travelling With Food Allergies on VIA Business Class

To know me is to know I love travelling by train, specifically VIA. It's one of those "proud-to-be-Canadian" things. I've been travelling on VIA for about 15 years and I've always looked forward to my trips. For every bad experience (screaming children, chatty university kids who don't use headphones for their music and chatty people on mobile phones), I have at least three good experiences.

So, it is no wonder that I was looking forward to my first Business Class trip on January 2nd. I got to the station earlier than usual just to hang out in the Panorama Lounge. Totally worth it. And, while I ordered the strict vegetarian meal (a.k.a. vegan) for my on-board meal, I knew there was a chance that I might not be able to eat it since nuts could be involved. VIA states on their website: "VIA cannot guarantee that its meals are free of all products that could cause allergies."

It was with absolute glee that I found out I could eat the meal since there were no nuts. The attendant was kind enough to get my permission to check the meal itself before she served it. The nature of my allergy to selected nuts is such that I have to worry about certain nuts in food more than cross-contamination. I certainly wouldn't recommend this course of action for anyone else.

So, in the end, the entree itself was not the problem - in terms of allergies. Sadly, it wasn't at all appetizing. I couldn't bear to finish what only looked like a delicious rice and chickpea dish. What did shock me was what was included as part of the meal - CoffeeMate and Canola Harvest margarine. While I know first hand that CoffeeMate has dairy (that was my first sign that my dairy allergy was worsening way back when and it says it contains dairy on the package), I could only suspect that Canola Harvest margarine likely contained whey as most margarines do. I only know of a few exceptions amongst typically non-vegan brand names - Fleischmann's and Becel Vegan. A quick email to the company confirmed that there is whey (and soy) in the margarine. So, a meal that is considered vegan, which is of concern to those with allergies and ethical considerations, includes items which contain milk.

Of course, I did what any food allergy blogger would do, I emailed VIA next. I've submitted complaints and praise on a couple of previous occasions and I've always been more than pleased with their response. Not so in this case.

I received a very generic form letter, complete with spelling errors and, quite humorously, it was even addressed to Mr. Tristan Joseph, even though my gender was clearly chosen in the email form I sent them. There was no mention of my specific complaint. I received an apology and a promise that it would be sent to the relevant manager.

An apology is appreciated, but it's not what I want to see happen. What I proposed and what I would like to see is the following:

1. Do not include items with dairy or egg in the strict vegetarian meal. If a special meal is not supposed to contain certain food items/ingredients, do due diligence and ensure all products meet those criteria.

2. Include ingredient listings for food items like bread, chocolate, margarine and salad dressing (which do not come with ingredients) on-line and on-board. I will happily go without if it contains my allergies, but it would be a small and welcome change.

3. Basic food allergy training for attendants who deal with meals. Lactose intolerance is not a dairy allergy, but I cannot expect an attendant to know that if that attendant hasn't been given the tools or knowledge. This would help them from making claims out of ignorance which has happened in restaurants on too many occasions.

In short, if you are a vegan or have a food allergy and are travelling in VIA Business Class, be prepared to not eat parts of the meal. Since you can't walk out the way you would in a restaurant you didn't trust, politely and kindly tell the attendant why the meal isn't safe for you. Remember that they have nothing to do with the preparation which is all done off-site. Send an email to VIA via their Contact Us page. Plus, always have some allergy-friendly snacks as a backup.

NOTE: Somehow I cut this part out, but it's worth including. Most VIA snacks which could potentially contain peanuts (pretzels, snack mixes) seem to be peanut-free. On that note, I'm not advocating for any food bans on-board. Business Class is predominantly booked by adults who have a greater ability to analyze potentially allergic situations than children.

UPDATE 05Dec12 - @VIA_Rail read this post and replied within 24 hours. I have to say their Twitter team is always on the ball. Obviously, they're not in a position to make promises or changes, but I hope that the management teams in charge of meal services and service delivery (as noted in @VIA_Rails' tweet) do take this seriously.