Tree Nut Allergy

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In addition to the general information about food allergies, here are some issues that people with a tree nut allergy should know about.

Nuts of concern for a tree nut allergy

Some tree nuts are considered to be priority allergens in Canada. These are almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts. There are other tree nuts not included in this list that can also cause allergic reactions in rare instances.

Tree nuts and peanuts

People with tree nut allergies may be allergic to a single type of tree nut or they may be allergic to two or more different tree nuts. Although the peanut is part of the legume family and not a tree nut, some people with tree nut allergies also react to peanuts. Consult your allergist before eating peanuts or any tree nut that is not a regular part of your diet.

Coconut and nutmeg

Coconut and nutmeg are not included in the list of tree nuts. Most people with a tree nut allergy can eat coconut and nutmeg safely. Some people, however, do react to coconut and nutmeg. If you have a tree nut allergy, consult your allergist before trying coconut or nutmeg products.

Tree nuts oil

People who are allergic to tree nuts should also avoid tree nut oil. Very few tree nut oils on the market have been refined enough to remove the proteins that can trigger allergic reactions.

Read the labels

If you're allergic to tree nuts, the only way to avoid a reaction is to avoid all food and products that contain tree nuts and tree nut derivatives. Don't eat a food or product if the label has precautionary statements such as "may contain tree nuts". Read ingredient lists carefully and learn to identify other names for tree nuts, such as nut meats or filberts. Do not consume a food or product if there is no ingredient list or if there is a risk they might have been in contact with tree nuts. If there is not enough information to make a decision, you can always call to ask the company or speak to a knowledgeable person at a restaurant.

Sources of tree nuts

Other names for tree nuts

• Anacardium nuts
• Filberts (hazelnuts)
• Nut meats
• Pinon
• Queensland nut (macadamia)

Food and products that contain or often contain tree nuts

• Calisson (a marzipan-like candy made from almonds)
• Dishes such as almond chicken, pad thai, satay, chili and trout amandine
• Gianduja and giandula (chocolate blended with hazel nuts)
• Marzipan (almond paste)
• Tree nut oils
• Pralines
• Spreads, for example, almond paste-based spreads, cheese spreads, chocolate nut spreads
• Nougat (sugar paste made with nuts), for example, Torrone
• Nut butter, for example, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.
• Nutella
• Vegetarian dishes

Other possible sources of tree nuts

• Baked goods
• Baking mixes, cereals, crackers and muesli
• Barbecue and pesto sauces
• Dressings and gravies
• Flavoured coffees
• Frozen desserts
• Liqueurs, for example, amaretto, Frangelico
• Natural flavourings and extracts, for example, pure almond extract
• Salads, for example, Waldorf salad
• Snack foods, for example, trail mix

Non-food sources of tree nuts

• Bean bags, kick sacks/hacky sacks
• Bird seed
• Cosmetics, hair care products, sun screens
• Massage oils
• Pet food

Where can I get more information?

For more information about food allergies:

• Consult an allergist.
• Refer to Health Canada’s Food Allergies web page
• Refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Food Allergens web page
• Sign up for the CFIA’s "Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts" email or RSS notification service
•  Order free copies of this brochure by calling 1-800-442-2342/TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday).
• Visit these organizations for additional allergy information:
  • Allergy/Asthma Information Association
  • Anaphylaxis Canada
  • Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires
  • Canadian Celiac Association
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
  • Fondation québécoise de la maladie coeliaque
  • Health Canada

This information was developed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada, in consultation with Allergy/Asthma Information Association, Anaphylaxis Canada, Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires, Canadian Celiac Association and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

CFIA P0707E-10
Catalogue No.: A104-84/2010E
ISBN: 978-1-100-14805-2