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The International Air Transport Association classifies the flesh of coconuts as dangerous goods. Image: Adobe Stock

Why this snack is banned on flights

There are clear rules on what is and isn't allowed on the plane and it is generally known that knives and large amounts of liquid are forbidden. However, there are also things on the list of dangers that you wouldn't necessarily expect - such as the flesh of coconuts.

Tastes are very different - even more so at an altitude of 10,000 meters. The passenger in the next row treats himself to a pack of gummy bears,  the person sitting next to him opens a Tupperware with freshly cut fruit, from behind you can hear someone crunching into crisps with obvious relish. The range of popular snacks for the plane is wide.

But there is one thing that is not suitable as a snack on a plane: coconuts. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) classifies the dried white flesh as dangerous goods. The reason is that they contains a lot of oil and has a low burning point.

Dried coconut flesh can therefore ignite even at relatively low temperatures. The potential fire hazard is therefore very high, especially in enclosed spaces such as aircraft cabins. According to the IATA, they are in the same category as matches, metal powder and sodium batteries.

Whole coconuts, on the other hand, may be transported in both hand luggage and hold luggage without any concerns. Packaged coconut products such as coconut milk from retail stores are also permitted on airplanes. The manufacturers' packaging ensures that the coconut products are sealed and less likely to pose a fire hazard.

(TN)

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