If you are allergic to tree nuts, you have an allergy that is common among children and adults. If you don’t carry a tree nut list already with you, keep what follows handy. Alphabetically, our list of tree nuts includes almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, filberts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.

Fortunately, due to the federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), any tree nut used as a food ingredient must be listed specifically on the label. While your allergist may limit your tree nut allergy to one or two specific tree nuts, people with tree nut allergies tend to avoid all tree nuts. This is due to the danger of cross contamination during processing.

Inform your server about your nut allergy, when you eat out. The proteins from tree nuts may be in crackers, chocolate, flavored coffee, barbeque sauces and other popular foods.

If you are allergic to tree nuts, avoid or use extra caution when you eat out at some African, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Cross contamination from a grill, from the food preparation area, from shared cooking oils or from cooking utensils is possible.

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