Do pine nuts count as nuts?

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DS is starting primary tomorrow, he will be taking packed lunches and we've been told the school is nut free.

I wasn't sure if pine nuts (as in pesto) counted as nuts so googled and I'm no clearer. Apparently they're a seed not a nut, but some websites say they count under nuts WRT nut allergies and some say they don't!

Anyone have any idea?

He doesnt like jam but likes Nutella. Haven't tried chocolate spread but could investigate...at least that will add a bit of variety!

Oh god it's a minefield. My dc aren't allowed nuts or egg so quiche is out (even though they have egg flan and omelette on the School dinner menu). My dc regularly take left over pasta as none are keen sandwich eaters and it never occurred to me pesto would be an issue as pinenuts aren't nuts. Jam sandwiches it is then

As mentioned up thread be aware that some Pesto sauces actually contain cashew nuts, manufacturers use them as cheaper than pine nuts. You can definitely buy a nut free chocolate spread though, Morrison's and Sainsburys's both sell good ones.

my child has a nut allergy and is fussy about foods - the Cadbury chocolate spread is good. Luckily he eats cheese spread and tuna though.

Nut and peanut allergies here.
Pine nuts do NOT count.
However, a majority of jar pesto sauces actually contain CASHEW NUTS which are a big no no. You can get some which do not use cashew and just use pine nuts.

Hope this helps x

Agree with wtf. I have tree nut and peanut severe allergies, but am not allergic to pine nuts as these are actually seeds. It is far less common to be allergic to pine nuts than tree/peanuts so I would presume pine nuts aka pine kernels are not included in a nut ban (though as pp said check with the school in case the ban includes seeds like pine kernels and sesame).

BUT please be aware, 100 per cent of standard pesto that I have ever looked at, has contained cashew nuts which are tree nuts and would be included in any ban. This includes all sacla branded pesto even their more expensive ones . I have to spend ages at the pesto aisle trying to find safe ones and generally its the taste the difference supermarket brand ones that are pure pine kernels with no cashews.

Please check it v carefully as it's something a nut allergic child could easily run into trouble with as they probably are used to eating (nut free) pesto at home so if offered a taste of pasta pesto by a school friend would be more likely to try some than eg being offered a random chocolate bar.

What about a food flask and send him some baked beans? I use them for dd1's pasta in the cooler months and they keep it nice and hot.

Have you considered a small thermos with beans or pasta shapes for his lunch with bread and butter if he likes beans?

Thanks, I will be keeping a look out for cashew free pesto from now on. I checked and the one we have definitely has cashews in.

He's not really ready to manage a hot thermos of beans yet, but it could be an option for the future.

how about plain pasta with peas?

There are recipes for nut/seed free pesto online. Could homemade stuff be an option?

Just want to say thank you for checking and thinking and caring. My son has severe allergies to many foods which does cause issues. I have overheard parents saying how ridiculous it is that they can't send in certain foods and it's hard to hear.
So thank you.

'Peanuts are a legume - related to peas
Pine nuts are a conifer seed - not related to any other common food
Tree nuts are not related to either

Nut bans are utterly surreal in their lack of understanding of chemistry and biology'

Legume, seed and nut allergies are utterly surreal in their ability to fail to follow any logic in their ability to cause life-threatening reactions to those poor sods who are affected.

Don't assume you know better or that the school are wrong unless you have spoken to the parent of every child in the school.

Plain pasta and peas could work (I can't think of anything worse myself!).

Thanks for all your tips.

How about a nut free nut loaf he could take in...various recipes here (some have cheese though)
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.stylist.co.uk/life/recipes/25-alternatives-to-nut-roast-2-vegetarian-food/39175/amp

Totally agree with Forgiveness. Allergy doesn't follow any logic.
My ds is allergic to certain nuts, of very obscure kind, while he is totally fine with other seeds and nuts.
Dr decided his blood test and prick test was safe enough for him to re-introduce wheat in his diet, yet he failed miserably at wheat challenge with very violent reaction.
It is very scary for children and their parents.

So, agree with Pananny too. Op, thank you for being so considerate.

Can you change the bread to make it more interesting like buttered fruit bread, tea cake or bagel?

Can you make pesto at home with pine nuts, basil, oil, garlic and parmesan (optional, we don't use it), lemon juice (optional, but nice), and salt & pepper to taste. Blend up fine or coarse as desired.

It's pretty easy and you can freeze in in small portions to use on individual serves of pasta.