A group of nuts such as almond, cashew, walnut and hazelnut that are declared allergens under the Food Standards Code and a common cause of severe allergic…
Tree nuts include almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio, macadamia and Brazil nut, among others. They are declared allergens under the Food Standards Code. Peanut is not a tree nut; it is a legume and is declared separately.
Yes. Although tree nuts are a declared allergen category, the specific tree nut present should be named, such as almond, cashew or walnut, so that consumers with an allergy to a particular tree nut can identify the risk accurately.
No. Peanut is a legume, not a tree nut, and is declared as a separate allergen. Some people are allergic to peanut, some to tree nuts, and some to both, so the two are declared and managed separately.
Yes. Tree nut allergy is a common cause of serious food-allergic reactions and can trigger anaphylaxis in sensitive people, even from small amounts. This is why tree nuts must be declared and cross-contact controlled during food preparation.
Tree nuts must be declared when present, and on packaged food they are declared like other allergens under Plain English Allergen Labelling, with the specific nut named, in bold in the ingredient list and in the Contains summary statement.