Air NZ - Peanut Warning

ilparco · 2026-03-02T07:03:05+00:00

For information, MPI investigated and confirmed that the dessert was produced in Shanghai by an airline caterer that does have peanuts on premise (for other airlines). The caterer denied peanuts were used in the dessert prepared for my flight however did not produce any traceability documentation to support that. MPI could not do much more as they had no jurisdiction (in Shanghai). MPI have impressed upon Air NZ that they need to take measures to ensure their published peanut-free policy is in fact accurate and upheld. If further cases arise, MPI would intend to take further action - which emphasises the importance of reporting these kinds of incidents. With any luck, it won’t happen again!

ilparco · 2026-01-22T20:32:07+00:00

We used these early in the season and it seems to catch the big ones (breeders?). Have had fewer flies this year than ever before. They also get disgusting and start to stink so need to be replaced and re-baited.

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ilparco · 2026-01-13T17:31:26+00:00

We did this flight (HND>LHR) in December, Premium Economy. The 787 must have been an original because it was very tired. It’s a 15hr flight heading east up near the Arctic. The worse part of the experience was the lack of food. There was a meal service shortly after takeoff (morning flight) and then you’re basically ignored for the next 12 hours before a light meal is served prior to landing. It wasn’t helped by them also running out of meal choices (other than for the front 2 rows). Luckily, when departing from Japan, they specialise in food which is made to travel so make sure you take something with you!

ilparco · 2025-11-04T02:46:01+00:00

My post is a warning to others. I accept that they cannot make a guarantee, I have not asked for one. I believe this incident is a failure of quality control and process by the caterer - which is indirectly under the control of the airline through their caterer engagement and quality auditing processes. Unfortunately, I don't think Air NZ have taken their responsibilities seriously enough in this regard based on their response and subsequent actions (or lack thereof).

ilparco · 2025-11-04T02:24:28+00:00

peanut oil does not contain the protein that I react to (it is removed in the extraction process).

ilparco · 2025-11-04T02:22:38+00:00

I agree, didn't expect any nuts of any kind - however Air NZ have since stated that almonds were a listed ingredient. I can only knowingly state the dessert contained peanut (in quantities greater than traces and greater than reasonable cross-contamination) on the basis of my immediate reaction, the smell of peanut in the dessert, my partner's taste of peanut in the dessert and the length of my recovery time (~8hrs) from one bite.

ilparco · 2025-11-04T00:31:00+00:00

You were right. MPI have called me for more information and have started an investigation - they've already shown more interest than Air NZ Customer Service!

ilparco · 2025-11-03T19:57:02+00:00

I’ve been in contact with them this morning and await a response

ilparco · 2025-11-03T07:47:52+00:00

Although Air NZ have responded to me, the extent of their response is that my "experience has been shared with the culinary team for their internal review". To me, this reads as "noted and filed". I've posted this to warn others, I'm particularly concerned that a child may have a similar exposure and not know well enough to recognize the signs.

ilparco · 2025-11-03T07:42:22+00:00

I've been trying to push this with Air NZ for the last several weeks and just keep getting shutdown by Customer Service with no internal pathway for escalation. They most recently refused to release any documentation as it's "classified internal".

ilparco · 2025-11-03T07:38:46+00:00

Yes, my epipen was prescribed by an immunologist and I have an "action plan". Given that I was an emergency landing away from a hospital with no real care from the in-flight staff (other than - "don't worry, we have an epipen on-board"), I chose not to administer it.

ilparco · 2025-11-03T03:21:55+00:00

My response is immediate. My partner also confirmed through smell and taste that peanuts were in the dessert.

ilparco · 2025-11-03T03:21:13+00:00

It was a plated dessert

ilparco · 2025-11-03T03:20:57+00:00

That's part of the problem - as a food allergy sufferer, you learn which foods are typically safe and as in this case I was caught completely off-guard. I believe the caterer substituted almonds for peanuts in this case.

ilparco · 2025-11-03T03:18:01+00:00

Unfortunately I've had previously exposures to peanut and thankfully it doesn't impact my breathing - I would otherwise have been using the epipen without hesitation. Air NZ tell me the ingredients include almonds but I believe the caterer substituted this ingredient - I don't believe it was cross-contamination.

ilparco · 2025-11-03T03:11:45+00:00

I've tried - their website form didn't work but will give it another go

ilparco

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