Peanut Allergy Diet
General guidelines for peanut allergy
The key to an allergy-free diet is to stay away from all foods or products containing
the food to which you are allergic. If you are allergic to peanuts, you will need
to stay away from peanuts and foods that contain peanuts. You will need to read all
food labels.
How to read a label for a peanut-free diet
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) is a law that requires
U.S. packaged foods to state clearly on the label if they contain peanuts. In addition
to peanuts, stay away from foods with any of these ingredients:
Foods that may contain peanuts
These foods may also contain peanuts:
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African, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, and other ethnic dishes
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Baked goods
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Candy
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Cereals
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Chili, spaghetti sauce
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Crackers
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Egg rolls
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Enchilada sauce
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Flavoring (natural and artificial)
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Hydrolyzed plant protein
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Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
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Ice creams, frozen yogurts, and nondairy frozen desserts
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Marzipan
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Nougat
Always read the entire ingredient label to look for peanuts. Peanut may be in the
ingredient list. Or it could be listed in a “Contains: peanut” statement after the
ingredient list.
Other sources of peanuts
These food sources may also contain peanuts:
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Peanut oil that is cold-pressed, extruded, or expeller-pressed. But studies show that
most people with allergies can safely eat foods containing highly refined peanut oil.
Ask your healthcare provider if this is safe for you to eat.
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Ethnic foods, commercially prepared baked goods, and candy. These can be cross-contaminated
with peanuts since peanuts are often used in these types of foods.
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Homemade chili and spaghetti sauce. These may be thickened with peanut butter or peanut
flour.
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Hydrolyzed plant and vegetable protein in imported foods. These proteins may be from
peanuts. In the U.S., these proteins often come from soy.
Important points
Foods that don't contain peanuts could be contaminated during manufacturing. Advisory
statements are not regulated by the FDA. They are voluntary. These include labels
such as "processed in a facility that also processed peanut." Or "made on shared equipment."
Ask your healthcare provider if you can eat products with these labels. Or you may
need to stay away from them.
Some foods and products are not covered by the FALCPA law. These include:
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Foods that are not regulated by the FDA
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Cosmetics and personal care items
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Prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements
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Toys, crafts, and pet foods
When you are eating out
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Always carry 2 epinephrine autoinjectors. Make sure you and those close to you know
how to use it.
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Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace with your allergy information.
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If you don't have epinephrine autoinjectors, talk with your healthcare provider. Ask
if you should carry them.
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In a restaurant, food may be cross-contaminated with peanuts. Always let the server
know that you have a peanut allergy.
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Always ask about ingredients at restaurants. Do this even if these are foods you have
eaten in the past and even if it's a restaurant you have eaten at before.
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Always read food labels.
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Stay away from buffets with peanuts. This will help you avoid cross-contamination
of foods with shared utensils.