Tree Nuts and Seeds
Complete avoidance is necessary as Tree Nut allergens provoke deadly reactions.
- 2% of the Human population has an allergy to at least 1 tree nut.
- Most children display this allergy around 2 years of age.
- Only around 10% will develop tolerance over their lifetime.
- Tree nut allergy is frequently triggered by pollen allergies (OAS), especially in those allergic to Birch.
- Complete avoidance is necessary as Tree Nut allergens tend to provoke a deadly reaction.
Relevance to Food Service
- Many dairy replacements are nut-based (almond milk) and nuts butters are sometimes used in place of peanut butter.
- Nut products often have incomplete or incorrect allergen label information.
- Awareness that Tree Nut allergy can be triggered by pollen
- Tree nut allergens can be potent contact allergens and aeroallergens.
- Aggressive, physical cleaning (with hot soapy water) prior to sanitizing all food contact surfaces, including high-touch areas (chair backs, table edges) after each use.
Dietary Labeling for Tree Nuts / Seeds
Almond Prunus dulcis Rosaceae
Almond flour
Almond meal
Almond milk
Almond paste (Marzipan)
Anacardium nuts
Beech nut/Beechnut Fagus spp. Fagaceae
Brazil nut Bertholletia excelsa Lecythidaceae
Bush nut Macadamia spp. Proteaceae
Butternut Juglans spp. Juglandaceae
Caponata
Cashew Anacardium occidentale Anacardiaceae
Chestnut Castanea spp. Fagaceae
Chinese, American, European Seguin
Chinquapin Castanea pumila Fagaceae
Coconut Cocos nucifera L. Arecaceae (alt. Palmae)
Filbert Corylus spp. Betulaceae
Gianduja
Ginko nut Ginkgo biloba L. Ginkgoaceae
Hazelnut Corylus spp. Betulaceae
Heartnut Juglans spp. Juglandacea
Hickory nut Carya spp. Juglandaceae
Lichee/Lychee nut Litchi chinensis Sonn. Sapindaceae
Macadamia nut Macadamia spp. Proteaceae
Marzipan
Mashuga nuts
Nangai nut
Nougat
Nu-Nuts®
Nut butter
Nut meal
Nut oil (finishing oils)
Nut paste
Nut pieces
Nutella ®
Nutmeat
Pecan Carya illinoensis Juglandaceae
Pesto
Pili nut Canarium ovatum Burseraceae
Pine nut Pinus spp. Pineaceae
Indian nut
Pignoli, Pigñolia, pignon nut, piñon, Pinyon
Pistachio Pistacia vera L. Anacardiaceae
Pralines
Shea nut Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. Sapotaceae
Sheanut
Karite shea nut
Walnut Juglans spp. Juglandaceae
May contain
Tree Nuts/Seeds
Artificial nuts
Baked goods
Biscuits
Breakfast cereals
Candies
Caponata
Cereals
Chocolate
Chocolate spreads
Dried fruit mixes
Dukkah
Ethnic Foods
Flavored coffees
Flavoring (natural/artificial)
Frozen desserts
Frozen drinks
Gianduja (a nut mix)
Gremolata
Health food bars
Ice cream
Mandelonas
Marzipan
Mortadella
Natural flavoring
Natural nut extract
Nougat
Pastries
Pesto
Pralines
Salads
Snack foods
Vegan dishes
Allergenic Components of Tree Nuts
Almond (Prunus dulcis) – Aln g 1 and Aln g 2
Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) – Bra o 3
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) – Ana o 1 and Ana o 2
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) – Cor a 9
Macadamia nut (Macadamia spp.) – Mac n 1 and Mac n 2
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) – Car i 2
Walnut (Juglans spp.) – Jug r 1
Allergenic Components of Seeds
Chia seed (Salvia hispanica) – Sals s 1
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) – Lin u 1
Mustard seed (Brassica spp.) – Bra n 1 and Bra n 2
Poppy seed (Papaver somniferum) – Pap o 4
Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) – Ses i 1, Ses i 2, and Ses i 3
Sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) – Hel a 1