DID YOU KNOW?

Packaged food products containing tree nuts are required to label their product as such; however, foods prepared in restaurants are not required to label allergens. Be sure to inform all restaurants of your allergy before ordering!

FAST FACTS

• Tree Nut Allergy, one of the most common food allergies, is usually a life-long affliction and commonly co-exists with peanut allergies.
• Typically occurring within minutes of consumption, allergic reactions to tree nuts often include hives, vomiting, swelling, and severe anaphylaxis.
• The most common allergic reactions are associated with consumption of almond, brazil nut, cashew nut, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio, and walnut.

Common (and Hidden!) Sources

• Nut mixes, butters, pastes ( such as marzipan, frangipane and nougat), nut milks, and nut oils
• Sauces (examples include pesto and korma)
• Mortadella
• Alcohol like Amaretto, Frangelico, Nocello, some gins, Charbay Nostalgie, Kahana Royale
• Self Care Products: nut oils are often found in lotions, hair care products, and soaps
• In addition to the nuts listed above, USDA classifies coconut, shea nut, pine nut, lychee nut, beech nut, hickory nut, gingko nut, chinquapin, and butternut as tree nuts, though allergic reactions from these are less common.
• Products with high risk of contamination²
• Chocolate, and chocolate-based foods/spreads
• Cookies, biscuits, baked goods
• Cereal/energy/nutrition bars
• Sweets, candy, ice cream
• Chinese, Indian, Thai, African, and Vietnamese cuisine

REFERENCES

McWilliam V, Koplin J, Lodge C, Tang M, Dharmage S, Allen K. The Prevalence of Tree Nut Allergy: A Systematic Review. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2015;15(9):54. doi:10.1007/s11882-015-0555-8.
Brough HA, Turner PJ, Wright T, et al. Dietary management of peanut and tree nut allergy: what exactly should patients avoid? Clin Exp Allergy. 2015;45(5):859-871. doi:10.1111/cea.12466.