Peanut allergy: where it hides in an ingredients list
Peanuts are not nuts, but legumes, and they often appear in unexpected places: peanut oil is found where nuts are neither present nor expected.
Names it appears under
- peanut oil
- peanut butter
- peanut flour
- hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- groundnut
Where you expect it
- peanuts
- peanut butter
- snacks
- gozinaki
- snack bars
Where you do not
- Asian sauces
- baked goods and cookies
- chocolates
- vegetable frying oils
- granola and muesli
- meat marinades
Frequently asked questions
- Are peanuts nuts?
- No, they are legumes, closer to peas and beans. Therefore, a peanut allergy and a tree nut allergy are different things, although they can occur together.
- What does "may contain traces of peanuts" mean?
- This is a voluntary label regarding the risk of cross-contamination during production. It is not regulated as strictly as the ingredient list, and its absence does not rule out risk.
- How do I check whether a product contains peanut?
- Photograph the barcode or the ingredients panel — the app reads the list and warns you if it finds anything you have flagged. Three checks are free, with no account.
- How do I avoid ordering a dish with peanut in a restaurant?
- Photograph the menu — the app reads the items and marks the ones whose name suggests an allergen you flagged. A menu carries no ingredients list, so the check is approximate: hidden ingredients are visible only in the kitchen.
Check the package rather than remember the list. Photograph the barcode and the app reads the ingredients and flags what you marked.
Other allergens: Milk · Egg · Tree nuts · Fish · Crustaceans · Mollusks · Soy · Gluten · all fourteen
This reference is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor.