Tree Nuts And Food Labeling Laws
Tree nuts are among the most common food allergies, and as such, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers selling foods in America to label foods containing tree nuts. The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that manufacturers label which tree nut is in a given product.
Manufacturers are not required to mention the presence of tree nuts on manufacturing lines. Many do, however. Because of the possibility of anaphylaxis, people with tree nut allergies should avoid products that mention the possibility of tree nut cross-contamination on labels.
Remember to always read your food packaging and ingredient labels, since ingredients and manufacturing practices can change at any time.
Respiratory Problems Can Result From A Chestnut Allergy
People who are allergic to chestnuts can have a wide range of reactions if they eat these nuts, from a runny nose to anaphylaxis. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to chestnuts are much like those of reactions to other nuts in people with nut allergies. Some of these symptoms are runny nose, cough, watery, itchy eyes, hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, hoarseness, throat swelling, and sinus pain.
Some people get a headache and their face gets red and swells. Others have a variety of other possible symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have trouble breathing or are experiencing any signs of anaphylaxis, such as rapid heartbeat or a whole-body reaction, call 911 and get emergency treatment immediately.
One Type of Chestnut Might Be Safe For People With Nut Allergies
If you have ever eaten Chinese food, you have probably eaten water chestnuts. These are a type of chestnut that is safe for people with a nut allergy to eat because they aren’t a nut at all. They are actually a tuber vegetable that looks almost exactly like the chestnut tree nut. This type of chestnut is commonly used in Asian dishes that include vegetables and rice.
A Third Type of Chestnut Is Used To Make Medicine
There is another type of chestnut: the horse chestnut. This chestnut is a plant, not a nut. The plant’s bark, flowers, and leaves are used to make natural medicines. If eaten raw, it can cause death.
Who Is At Risk Of Tree Nut Allergy
- Those with an existing peanut allergy have an increased likelihood of around 30-40% of developing a tree nut allergy as similar proteins are found in both types of nuts.
- Having an existing tree nut allergy does not automatically mean an allergy to peanuts although it is not uncommon to be allergic to both some tree nuts and peanuts.
- Infants with eczema and/or an egg allergy are more likely to develop other food allergies
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Possible Sources Of Tree Nuts
- Alcoholic beverages, such as Frangelico, amaretto liqueurs and others
- Baked goods such as biscotti, cakes, cookies, crackers, donuts, granola bars, pastries and pies, baklava, baking mixes
- Barbecue sauce
- Candies, such as calisson, mandelonas, marzipan, some chocolates, chocolate bars
- Cereals, granola, muesli
- Health and Nutritional supplements, such as herbal remedies and vitamins
- Herbal teas
- Hot cocoa and cocoa mixes
- Ice cream, gelato, frozen desserts, sundae toppings, frozen yogurt, pralines
- Main course dishes such as butter chicken, chicken korma, mole sauce, pad thai, satay, chili, other gravy dishes
- Natural flavourings and extracts
- Nut-flavoured coffees, hot cocoa, specialty drinks
- Peanut oil
- Snack food like chips, popcorn, snack mixes, trail mix
- Spreads and Nut butters
- Vegetarian dishes
Are The Water Chestnuts In Spring Rolls Safe For Tree Nut Allergies
Despite what their name might suggest, water chestnuts are not tree nuts! The water chestnut is actually an aquatic vegetable that grows in marshes, underwater in the mud with tube-shaped leafless green stems that grow to about 1.5 metres. Water chestnuts are safe to consume for people with tree nut allergies. Phew!!
Why is this important? Water chestnuts are one of the main ingredients in Filipino Lumpiang Shanghai , fried spring rolls, and I had a strong craving. Once a craving pops into my head, it lingers there until I finally feed it. A few weeks ago my sister started talking about lumpia and I havent stopped thinking of them since.
Lumpia is basically ground pork, vegetables and spices held together with a beaten egg and wrapped in wonton paper. Different regions across the Philippines use different spices and methodologies, but my baseline is my mothers recipe, which in my biased opinion is the best Ive ever tasted. After a quick tutorial with my mom, I realized that I needed to do some research and make some HypeFoodie modifications before I could enjoy lumpia with my gluten sensitive and dairy, egg, peanut and tree nut allergic child.
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Allergic Reactions To Tree Nuts
An allergic reaction usually happens within minutes after being exposed to an allergen, but sometimes it can take place several hours after exposure. Anaphylaxis is the most serious type of allergic reaction.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis generally include two or more of the following body systems:
- Skin: hives, swelling , itching, warmth, redness
- Respiratory : coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, throat tightness, hoarse voice, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms , trouble swallowing
- Gastrointestinal : nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
- Cardiovascular : paler than normal skin colour/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizziness or lightheadedness, shock
- Other: anxiety, sense of doom , headache, uterine cramps, metallic taste
If you have an allergy to tree nuts, keep an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for severe allergic reactions .
Are There Any Uses For Horse Chestnuts
Uses for Horse Chestnuts
While you cannot safely eat horse chestnuts or feed them to livestock, they have medicinal uses. Extract from the poisonous conkers contains aescin. This is used to treat hemorrhoids and chronic venous insufficiency. In addition, over history conkers have been used to keep spiders away.
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Do All Chestnut Trees Produce Nuts
Each chestnut tree produces both male and female flowers, but do not hope to get nuts with only one tree. The trees pollinate only with flowers from a neighboring tree. The chestnuts develop on the trees in prickly cases termed burrs. These often split open and fall to the ground when the nuts are ripe.
And Finally Water Chestnuts
Thank goodness, the Chinese water chestnut is most definitely NOT a nut, its a grass-like sedge grown for its edible corms. It grows in marshes, underwater in the mud, so stir frys are safe water chestnuts are our friends.
You cant blame restaurants for panicking and refusing to serve you the tasty christmas stuffing because they think it might be a nut and are terrified of making you ill. This happened to me a few times and to be honest Im not sure if I have eaten chestnuts or whether Im allergic to them or not. Im just always pleased when people are clearly listening to what Ive told them and advising me accordingly.
So, the answer to the question is probably, yes, you should exercise caution where chestnuts are concerned. No restnuts choasting on your open fire not till youve been tested anyway, and know youre in the all clear. What do they taste like anyway? Are they nice? Are they nutty? Anyone out there with a chestnut allergy?
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Allergy To Both Tree Nuts And Peanuts
Peanuts are legumes and are biologically unrelated to tree nuts. Tree nut allergy and peanut allergy are two different types of allergies. Still, while people allergic to tree nuts are not necessarily allergic to peanuts, it’s also possible be allergic to both.
You should be aware that tree nuts and peanuts are often found together in processed foods and nut mixtures. If you are diagnosed with a tree nut allergy, your allergist will advise you whether to avoid peanuts, as well.
Living With A Tree Nut Allergy
As there is currently no cure for a tree nut allergy, the complete avoidance of tree nut and foods which contain tree nuts is an important part of living with a tree nut allergy. Tree nuts are widely used in a variety of foods and are a common ingredient in different types of cooking like Asian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. They can also be found in the following foods baked goods, cereals, ice cream and desserts.
- Nut butters
- Nut milks
- Biscuits, pastries, and cakes with nuts as ingredients e.g., chocolate brownies
- Nutella
- Mixed nuts and raisins
- Salads with added nuts or nut oils
It is important to carefully check the ingredients list on food items . Avoid foods which contain tree nuts which could be under any of the following names, some are not as obvious as you would think!
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Is Sunflower A Tree Nut
It’s a common question and leaves many people with nut allergies wondering if they can enjoy sunflower, poppy, pumpkin, and sesame seeds. The simple answer is that you may be able to eat these seeds because none of them are tree nuts. Each comes from plant families that are not closely related to nut-producing trees.
Foods That Contain Tree Nuts
Food that always or almost always contains tree nuts include:
- Nutella
- Nut meal
- Natural extracts: almond and wintergreen
There are some places where it may be difficult to avoid tree nuts. These include parties or gatherings where bowls of mixed nuts may be served.
As with many common allergens, tree nuts are sometimes found in unlikely foods, so be sure to read labels on all packaged foods before buying or eating them.
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Related Allergies And Conditions
Patients with an allergy to certain types of tree nuts may find they also have reaction to other types of tree nuts. This is known as a cross-reaction. In addition, it is quite common for people with a tree nut allergy to be also allergic to peanuts, which are a type of legume, not a nut. Therefore, tree nut-allergic individuals need to use caution when consuming any type of nut or peanuts.
Patients allergic to tree nuts are at an increased risk for oral allergy syndrome characterized by an itching or swelling in the throat, palate, tongue or lips after consuming certain foods at certain times of the year. This is because of a similarity between a specific type of protein found in the food and in certain types of pollen.
There are several conditions that may be mistaken for a tree nut allergy such as food poisoning and food intolerances, sensitivity to food additives , and various other gastrointestinal conditions.
Is Horse Chestnut Good For Skin
The saponins are potent anti-inflammatory compounds and produce a gentle soap which aid in skin softening. As skin uses this as a moisturizing component, a reduction in this enzyme can lead to an increase in skin hydration. Horse Chestnut Extract has soothing, anti-irritant and toning properties on the skin.
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Anaphylaxis To Water Caltrop : A Case Report
Omar E Mohamed1*, Toni Osborne1,2, Jane Heslegrave1 and Mamidipudi Thirumala Krishna1,3
1Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK
2Nutrition & Dietetics Department, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK
3Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, UK
Is A Horse Chestnut A Nut
Trees in the genus Aesculus produce toxic, inedible nuts and have been planted as ornamentals throughout the U.S. and are sometimes incorrectly represented as an edible variety. … Both horse chestnut and edible chestnuts produce a brown nut, but edible chestnuts always have a tassel or point on the nut.
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Uses In Traditional Medicine
Water chestnuts are high in essential nutrients and packed with medicinal properties. For this reason, water chestnuts are considered a staple in many branches of traditional medicine.
In Ayurvedic medicine, water chestnuts are used to calm the pitta dosha and act as a natural diuretic to promote urine production. They are also thought to support proper blood clotting and healthy libido and keep your bones strong.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this aquatic vegetable is used to manage blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar, and treat ailments like hemorrhoids and diarrhea. Additionally, water chestnuts are believed to naturally soothe sore throats and optimize liver health as well.
What Happens With A Tree Nut Or Peanut Allergy
When someone has a nut allergy, the body’s immune system, which normally fights infections, overreacts to proteins in the nut. If the person eats something that contains the nut, the body thinks these proteins are harmful invaders and responds by working very hard to fight off the invader. This causes an allergic reaction.
Even a small amount of peanut or tree nut protein can set off a reaction. But allergic reactions from breathing in small particles of nuts or peanuts are rare. That’s because the food usually needs to be eaten to cause a reaction. Most foods with peanuts in them don’t allow enough of the protein to escape into the air to cause a reaction. And just the smell of foods containing peanuts won’t cause one because the scent doesn’t contain the protein.
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How Is An Allergic Reaction Treated
Nut and peanut allergies can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis may begin with some of the same symptoms as a less severe reaction, but then quickly get worse, leading someone to have trouble breathing, feel lightheaded, or to pass out. If it is not treated right away, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
If you have a peanut or tree nut allergy , the doctor will want you to carry an epinephrine auto-injector in case of an emergency.
An epinephrine auto-injector is a prescription medicine that comes in a small, easy-to-carry container. It’s easy to use. Your doctor will show you how. Keep the epinephrine with you, not in a locker or in the nurse’s office.
Every second counts in an allergic reaction. If you start having serious allergic symptoms, like swelling of the mouth or throat or trouble breathing, use the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Also use it right away if your symptoms involve two different parts of the body, like hives with vomiting. Then and have someone take you to the emergency room. You need to be under medical supervision because even if the worst seems to have passed, a second wave of serious symptoms can happen.
The doctor can also give you an allergy action plan, which helps you prepare for, recognize, and treat an allergic reaction. Share the plan with anyone else who needs to know, such as relatives, school officials, and coaches. Also consider wearing a medical alert bracelet.
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How Common Is Tree Nut Allergy
Tree nuts are a common cause of food allergy in children and adults. When someone has a tree nut allergy their immune system is reacting to the proteins in the nut.
It is most common to develop a nut allergy before the age of 5 , however it is also possible for older children and adults to develop allergic symptoms, even when tree nuts have been eaten previously without any symptoms of allergy. Tree nut allergy appears to be getting more common in both children and adults. Allergies to tree nuts tend to be persistent and it is rare for people to grow out of them, especially over the age of five .
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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of A Nut Allergy
When someone with a peanut or tree nut allergy has something with nuts in it, the body releases chemicals like .
This can cause symptoms such as:
- wheezing
- a drop in blood pressure
- dizziness or fainting
- anxiety or a feeling something bad is happening
Reactions to foods, like peanuts and tree nuts, can be different. It all depends on the person and sometimes the same person can react differently at different times.
Can You Eat Water Chestnuts With A Nut Allergy
Answer itnutnutwater chestnutnutsnutsnutallergic
Also to know is, are chestnuts true nuts?
Chestnutsnutchestnutchestnutsnutsnuts
Which is not a tree nut?
peanutslegumesalmondsBrazilcashewshazelnutspecanspistachioswalnuts
Is a coconut a tree nut?
Coconutnutcoconuttree nutcoconuttree nutscoconut
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What Trees Do Chestnuts Come From
Sweet chestnut is a deciduous tree which can reach 35m when mature and live for up to 700 years. They belong to the same family as oaks and beeches. The bark is grey-purple and smooth, and develops vertical fissures with age. The twigs are purple-brown and buds are plum, red-brown and oval in shape.
What Does Chestnut Taste Like
A delicious and classic turkey stuffed with whole chestnuts on holiday is the most familiar image that comes to my mind whenever someone mentions roasted chestnut. However, you can also combine this tasty ingredient with many savory and sweet recipes.
This delicious nut which grows from the chestnut tree has a large, smooth and hard mahogany shape. They are coated with distinctive, beautiful brown and dark veins. When you crack a chestnut open, the meat inside is soft and tender, contains a rich fiber, and healthy fat contents result in a creamy, sweet, and nutty flavor.
Thats why you can find chestnuts in many sweet dessert recipes like mousse cakes, cheesecakes, cranberry loaves of bread, brownies, and chocolate torte. With the brown color and nutty taste, this ingredient adds a natural taste to any desserts.
On the same hand, chestnuts can also be a great flavor enhancer in savory dishes. You can stuff them in poultry and meat like the traditional stuffed turkey, or you can also make a tasty puree.
When roasted and cracked into small pieces, chestnuts can be blended in your hummus and soups, and top them on your favorite pasta and salads.
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