Love Island’s Jack Fowler has slammed ‘ignorant’ people for ‘not understanding the severity of allergies’ after he ‘could have died’ on a flight to Dubai following a reaction to some cashew nuts.
The reality star and DJ, 28, appeared on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain with Ed Balls and Susanna Reid where he spoke about the recent incident.
Jack was flying with Emirates and claimed he had told the flight attendant several times that he had a nut allergy.
However, despite his warnings he was served a chicken cashew nut curry and within seconds his throat closed up and he began to struggle to breath.
Jack was given five tanks of oxygen and had to administer his Adrenaline Pen (Epi Pen) but confessed he was left with the ‘real possibility of dying on the plane’.
Love Island’s Jack Fowler has slammed ‘ignorant’ people for ‘not understanding the severity of allergies’ after he ‘could have died’ on a flight to Dubai after a reaction to some cashew nuts
The reality star and DJ, 28, appeared on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain with Ed Balls and Susanna Reid where he spoke about the recent incident
He has now said on GMB: ‘The rate of allergies in young people is on the up. I just feel like it’s a sign of the times where people need to be looked after on these flights.
‘Now things are changing and what is it going to take? I think people need to really understand the severity of allergies, and I think there’s a lot of ignorance from some people.’
Susanna then added: ‘The annoying thing is if you’ve been served a packet of cashew nuts, you could have said ‘no, I won’t have them. Thanks very much.’
‘You could not tell what was in this meal. I think that all passengers should be able – like we can, in shops and supermarkets – to look at the ingredients.
‘And then you would be reassured, wouldn’t you, about what was actually in the food.’
Jack also offered a solution which he thinks could prevent the same happening again.
He said: ‘I also think airlines – and it’s such a simple thing. I said, why don’t we have a red cover that goes over your seat?
‘So even if the flight attendant doesn’t know, maybe first hand, they can visually see that person has got something in the back of the seat.’
He added: ‘I could tell after the first bite. I was just so confused because I had just double checked… How many times can I check to make sure there’s no nuts? I was thinking, ‘Is my mind playing tricks on me here?’
‘But I knew my throat was closing up. There was complete negligence here. I’ve had a few anaphylaxis reactions before and this is my second time on an airline unfortunately. To happen once is scary enough.
‘I just think, ‘What is it gonna take? What is it gonna take until nuts are taken off flights completely?’
Detailing the incident on Instagram on Sunday, Jack shared numerous photos of himself having treatment on board, as he wrote: ‘Can’t believe I’m having to post this. And I’m posting because people should be aware of the severity of how bad food allergies can be and the complete negligence from @Emirates airline.
Jack was flying with Emirates and claimed he had told the flight attendant several times that he had a nut allergy. However, despite his warnings he was served a chicken cashew nut curry
He has now said on GMB : ‘The rate of allergies in young people is on the up. I just feel like it’s a sign of the times where people need to be looked after on these flights’
He added: ‘Now things are changing and what is it going to take? I think people need to really understand the severity of allergies, and I think there’s a lot of ignorance from some people’
Jack was given five tanks of oxygen and had to administer his Adrenaline Pen (Epi Pen) but confessed he was left with the ‘real possibility of dying on the plane’
Jack asked: ‘What needs to happen for Airlines to take food allergies seriously??’ as he slammed Emirates for their negligence’
‘I recently flew with Emirates Airline where I was given a Cashew Nut. I made my flight attendant aware of my nut allergy twice before being given a chicken curry.
‘I wasn’t given a menu to chose from, instead I was asked directly if I wanted chicken or fish. I opted for the chicken.
‘When I asked for the chicken I told the air-host that I’m severely allergic to all nuts. I was then told that there was no nuts in the chicken curry.
‘When I received the meal I asked the same flight attendant again to make sure, and again was told that it does not have nuts included.
‘Trusting my flight attendant I began to eat the chicken curry. Immediately my throat closed up and breathing became extremely difficult.’
The situation immediately escalated, as Jack continued: ‘I told a flight attendant I couldn’t breathe and if there was nuts in the food.
‘I was told that there were no nuts in the chicken curry AGAIN. It was only when my friend demanded to see the food menu for the first time did I realise it was a ‘Creamy Cashew Nut chicken Curry’.
‘This left me with the real possibility of dying on the plane as I knew I needed emergency treatment immediately. I was given five tanks of Oxygen, as well as administering my Adrenaline Pen (Epi Pen).
‘I told the flight supervisor ‘If you don’t land this plane soon, I will die on this plane’. This then lead to the pilot speeding up the journey.
‘Once we landed I was rushed into Dubai airport Hospital where I continued treatment.’
Jack then asked: ‘What needs to happen for Airlines to take food allergies seriously??’ as he slammed Emirates for their negligence.
‘@Emirates it is not good enough. I’m lucky to be able to have a platform to make as many people aware of your complete negligence.
‘You are responsible for your passengers and their safety. Giving a passenger food which they’ve stated TWICE will cause extreme harm is unacceptable.
‘I hope all airlines and cabin crew who come across this post take note. We board your flights and trust the cabin crew to aid us in a safe flight. Take more care.’
When contacted by MailOnline, an Emirates spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry to hear of Mr Fowler’s experience and our teams on ground are providing him with all possible assistance. The safety and health of our customers is taken very seriously.
‘While Emirates aims to cater to customers with specific needs by offering a variety of special meals that cover medical, dietary, and religious requirements, we cannot guarantee a nut-free inflight environment. ‘We urge travellers with dietary or other medical requirements to check our website and consult their doctor before travel.’
Sharing their support in the comments, Jack’s ex girlfriend and former flight attendant Laura Anderson wrote: ‘She’ll be fired’.
He wrote: ‘I told the flight supervisor ‘If you don’t land this plane soon, I will die on this plane’. This then lead to the pilot speeding up the journey’
He added: ‘@Emirates it is not good enough. I’m lucky to be able to have a platform to make as many people aware of your complete negligence’
Jack also offered a solution which he thinks could prevent the same happening again as he appeared on GMB
Jack found fame after taking part in Love Island back in 2018 (pictured) he then returned for Love Island Games last year, which he won with his then girlfriend Justine Joy
Meanwhile Wayne Lineker penned: ‘That’s nuts mate. Love you and hope you’re ok’.
Fellow Love Islander Georgia Steel wrote: ‘I hope you’re okay jack!!! Good to use your platform to spread this type of awareness!’
His ex Justine Joy, who he won Love Island Games with last year, shared: ‘Shocking that this still happens knowing how you always make sure to make everyone aware of the severity of your allergy before you consume anything! Infuriating! Really glad you’re okay!!’
Montana Brown added: ‘I hope you’re ok this is SO bad.’ and Hannah Elizabeth commented: ‘I have a really bad allergy to cashews and pistachios also . This happened to me on a plane as well so bad hope your ok’.