Peanut allergy - info for lay person

[MrsBosh]

Please excuse my ignorance about nut and peanut allergies. I'm after some advice.

I work in a setting serving food to children. One of these children has a peanut allergy. The reaction is hives-like all over his face and body, rather than anaphylaxis. An anti-histamine is kept on-site.

When I am checking food ingredients lists if I see the unhelpful cover all phrase 'may contain nuts/made in a factory which handles nuts' I have been presuming this covers peanuts too. However a colleague started saying something about treenuts? In this context what is the difference between peanuts/nuts/treenuts? I feel like I've not ever read 'may contain peanuts'. Are packets ever that specific? Is there anything else I need to look out for on the bold allergens?

If someone with experience could just explain what I need to look out for when reading packets I would appreciate it. I should add that my employer has not given me training on this as they presume we will all just pick it up. I know, I know. But that's a separate thread

Cheers.

[trixymalixy]

Peanuts aren't technically a nut, they're legumes, which I guess is the point your friend is making.

I would stay on the safe side though and assume "may contain nuts" includes peanuts. Very often they are processed in the same factory so high risk of cross contamination.

[MrsBosh]

Trixy thank you for your reply and advice. Wow, I had no idea peanuts were technically legumes!

[Cherylene]

Some people are allergic to a fatty acid in the oil.

Some people are allergic to the protein that causes the nut to hibernate until it is ready to germinate - so this will extend to tree nuts, and some seeds.

Some people are allergic to a protein on it that is similar to that found in silver birch pollen and apples and it will give hayfever symptoms or mouth swelling (but very rarely anaphylaxis).

Try allergyuk website.