Perth holidaymaker Madi sparks allergy debate after being called out for eating peanut bar on flight to Bali

A Perth woman has sparked a fierce debate after she was called out for eating a peanut-filled chocolate bar while boarding a flight to Bali.

Madi said she was enjoying a Whittaker’s Peanut Slab, a popular Kiwi treat, while walking along the airbridge when a female passenger began making comments about the snack.

The woman repeatedly said that she was thankful she was not anaphylactic, according to Madi, who filmed a video about the confrontation.

“I’m just eating my peanut slab in peace and quiet and the lady behind me in the tunnel says, ‘Thank God I’m not anaphylactic, thank God I’m not anaphylactic’,” she said.

Madi said that she was unhappy with the way the woman approached her, insisting that she had not intended to put anyone at risk.

“The lady approached me unsolicited and made passive aggressive comments detailing that she was not anaphylactic and not allergic to peanuts,” she said.

“If I knew I was travelling with someone or that someone was going to be next to me, I would show appropriate care and consideration.

“I definitely don’t feel as though I’ve been malicious or unempathetic.”

The incident has divided social media users, with many siding with the passenger and arguing people should be more considerate when eating nuts around others in confined spaces.

“My husband would legit die because of this, you could have eaten it before or after the plane,” one said.

Another commented: “When you are sharing space like that, you do have to think of the collective welfare.

A third added: “As a nurse I’ve literally watched people going into anaphylactic shock from someone eat peanut in a completely different room to them … so I do agree in this confined space pick a different snack.”

Another wrote: “This is incredibly rude, my mum goes into anaphylactic shock just by smelling peanuts.”

But others defended Madi, including one follower who said they were themselves anaphylactic.

“As someone who is anaphylactic … eat the peanuts. My allergy is not your problem — I will take extra precautions, but I dam well ain’t going to tell a stranger to not eat something,” they said.

Another follower took a similarly blunt approach.

“Got allergies? Wear a f**king mask! I’m not going to deprive myself of my comfort snack of any sort, whether it be nuts, chocolate, sweet tea, Nerd Clusters, whatever,” they said.

Reneesoleil said airlines already had measures in place for passengers with severe allergies.

“People are insane,” she said. “They literally serve nuts on flights.

“If someone is severely allergic, they need to let the airline know so the crew can create a buffer and brief those around them.”

Another commented: “I’m confused, if they didn’t announce that someone has an allergy, why is it a problem if she eats it?”

A third said: “Someone else’s allergies aren’t anyone else’s problem.”

The debate comes as airlines warn they cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment on frlights.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia state on their websites that they cannot guarantee an aircraft will be free from allergens, including nuts.