Spices are typically safe to consume if you have a nut allergy.

If you have a nut allergy, that means you’re allergic to tree nuts, so it’s safe to have anything that does not have them in its composition. Tree nuts include:

  • almonds
  • Brazil nuts
  • cashews
  • hazelnuts
  • macadamia
  • pecan
  • pistachios
  • shea nuts
  • walnuts

Always read the labels of any products you consume to ensure they don’t contain nuts. Some products may be produced in factories where tree nuts are processed and cross-contamination is possible.

There have been some case reports of anaphylaxis with some spices, including:

The Food and Drug Administration has recalled some cumin products because of suspicion that they had been adulterated with peanut filler. However, no reactions in people allergic to peanuts have been reported.

Some foods may commonly contain nuts, and it would be advisable to avoid them. These include:

  • nut butters or spreads, such as almond butter or Nutella
  • nut milks
  • biscuits, pastries, and cakes with nuts as ingredients
  • gluten-free foods that often contain almond meal
  • marzipan
  • pesto, which may contain other tree nuts as well as pine nuts
  • bread with nuts or seeds
  • cereal bars
  • mixed nuts and raisins
  • salads with added nuts or nut oils

Always look out for what the label says about any specific allergens. Some products may not contain nuts, but they may be processed in a factory where cross-contamination is possible.

Cross-contamination means the manufacturers cannot guarantee that a certain product does not contain nuts. If you’re eating out, make sure to inform the staff of any allergies you may have.

If you have any more questions, you can reach out to a doctor or allergist for further advice.