(RNN) – Southwest Airlines will soon stop serving peanuts on its flights to protect people who are allergic to them.
The move marks the end of the air carrier’s decades-long love affair with the snack.
"Peanuts forever will be part of Southwest's history and DNA," the company said in a statement.
"However, to ensure the best on-board experience for everyone, especially for customers with peanut-related allergies, we've made the difficult decision to discontinue serving peanuts on all flights beginning August 1."
The Food and Drug Administration includes peanuts on its list of most allergenic foods.
Peanuts have long been a part of the culture at Southwest. The airline’s been dishing them out since the 1970s. Southwest said it served more than 106 million peanuts in 2017.
Peanuts also played a big role in the company’s quirky ad and marketing campaigns. The airline called its prices “peanut fares.”
"We'll miss the peanuts, but, at the end of the day, it's our Southwest employees and the hospitality they deliver that set us apart, far more than peanuts ever could," the airline said.
"Our ultimate goal is to create an environment where all customers - including those with peanut-related allergies - feel safe and welcome on every Southwest flight."
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