Also, since peanuts can be processed in the same facilities as other tree nuts, it is important to make sure to read the labels of all products purchased because of a greater risk for cross-contamination. Allergens are a long and complicated topic. If you know someone who has one of the common eight allergens, you know it can get really tedious. Luckily, there are resources available to help you when preparing and purchasing food, as well as when treatment is needed. This website, along with the FDA allergen rules and regulations website can be helpful for food producers.
Skip to content. Table of Contents. Allergen Labeling Every country has their own categorization of allergens, which is something that food producers need to consider when preparing and labeling food destined for domestic and export sales.
Further Resources Allergens are a long and complicated topic. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Comment. Examples are hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, paranuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios and cashew nuts. In this context, peanuts are often mentioned, while in fact they are legumes.
After the flowers of the peanut plant above the ground are fertilized, a pod, mostly containing two seeds, arises. The stalk to which the pod hangs then grows longer and into the ground again. The pod ripens under the ground where the fruit germinates to create a new plant.
The peanut plant is a one-year plant. After harvesting, the peanuts are laid above the ground to dry. Nuts grow on trees high above the ground, for example, think of a walnut chestnut tree.
Pecans grow in trees that can grow up to 30 meters high. In general, nuts grow in a kind of husk or sleeve like the walnut and chestnut, but the paranut is an exception. It grows in large fruits, which can weigh up to a few kilos. 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.
When someone with a peanut or tree nut allergy has something with nuts in it, the body releases chemicals like histamine. 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. A nut allergy sometimes can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis might start with some of the same symptoms as a less severe reaction, but can quickly get worse.
The person may have trouble breathing or pass out. More than one part of the body might be involved. If it isn't treated, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. If your child has a peanut or tree nut allergy or any kind of serious food allergy , the doctor will want him or her 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. Kids who are old enough can be taught how to give themselves the injection. If they carry the epinephrine, it should be nearby, not left in a locker or in the nurse's office. Wherever your child is, caregivers should always know where the epinephrine is, have easy access to it, and know how to give the shot. Staff at your child's school should know about the allergy and have an action plan in place.
Your child's medicines should be accessible at all times. Every second counts in an allergic reaction. If your child starts having serious allergic symptoms, like swelling of the mouth or throat or difficulty breathing, give the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Also give it right away if the symptoms involve two different parts of the body, like hives with vomiting.
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