Nut and Peanut Allergy

The proteins in peanuts and nuts are extremely allergenic. Even the smallest amounts can lead to symptoms in allergy sufferers. For example, 100 micrograms of peanut (a thousandth of a peanut!) can trigger an allergic response.[1] These symptoms can sometimes be extreme, such as anaphylactic shock. It can thus be of vital importance to meticulously check the ingredients of food products and to strictly heed the health warnings. [2]

For this reason it is very important that the cooking and service staff at restaurants and catered for events are well informed of a person’s nut or allergy intolerance.

Nut Allergy:

Nut allergies can affect people who don’t have a traditional nut allergy; the consumption of nuts can also be problematic for people who suffer from pollen allergiescross-allergies. People who have pollen allergies to birch trees have to be especially careful when eating hazelnuts or walnuts. [3] Moreover, nut allergens are extremely stable; cooking, mincing or pressing don’t reduce their potency. Roasting can even increase the allergic potential of nuts. [4] Nut allergies are considered to be incurable because of their extreme stability. Exotic varieties of nuts, such as cashew nuts, pecans and coconuts are unproblematic for some nut allergy sufferers. [5]

Peanut Allergy:

Peanuts are technically not nuts; they are actually legumes (leh-gyoom) and are not related to nuts. Peanuts are extremely allergenic. Peanut allergies normally emerge during childhood and are lifelong. Only 25% of children who suffer from peanut allergies eventually develop a tolerance. [6] Peanut allergies are especially widespread in the U.K. and the U.S.A. [7] Since peanut allergy sufferers can have an allergic reaction by merely breathing in dust that contain the peanut allergen, it is of vital importance that people diagnosed as having a peanut allergy be well informed of their ailment. [8] Some foods that commonly contain peanuts are; peanut butter, baked goods, biscuits, crackers, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian and other Asian dishes, vegetarian foods, muesli and other cereals, ice cream, mixed nuts, marzipan, soups, egg rolls, energy bars, muesli bars and sauces.

A recent report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (June 2010) has shown that the rate of peanut allergies in the US has tripled between 1997 and 2008. [9]  

ou can find information on diagnosis of food allergies and intolerances here

DELICARDO Foodcards:

That is why we highly recommend the use of DELICARDO Foodcards for nut and/or peanut allergy sufferers. When eating dishes prepared by someone else it is important that allergies and intolerances are clearly communicated to the cook and service personnel. During restaurant visits it is best to avoid peanuts as well as nuts if you suffer from a peanut or nut allergy to avoid possible contamination.

Ms Ludwig from Erlangen says: “I like nut cake, but I can’t eat it any longer. I am allergic to nuts, which can be dangerous for me at times. Still I don’t want to miss out on sweets altogether. When I dine at a restaurant as someone suffering from an allergy and order dessert, I simply show my DELICARDO to the waiter and can then enjoy a nut-free dessert.”

Helpful links and resources:

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Peanut allergy
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=517

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Tree nut allergy
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=521

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/allerg/peaarae.shtml

About.com – Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies
http://foodallergies.about.com/od/nutallergies/Peanut_and_Tree_Nut_Allergies.htm

Blog – Eat Nut free
http://eatnutfree.com

FAAN
http://www.foodallergy.org/page/peanut-allergy

FAI USA
http://www.faiusa.org/?page_id=59EFC654-E081-2F43-D468EA81FFBD511A&r=1

AllergyUK
http://www.allergyuk.org/fs_nutfreediet.aspx

Food Standards Agency UK
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/foodintolerance/foodintolerancetypes/peanutallergy/

[1] Fehrmann: Allergien vom tisch, Pg. 124
[2] Ibid., Pg. 126
[3] Ibid., Pg123
[4] Ibid., Pg 124
[5] Ibid., Pg 123
[6] Ibid., Pg 125
[7] Ibid., Pg 123
[8] Constien, Reese, Schäfer: Praxisbuch Lebensmittelallergie, Pg. 88
[9] www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2810%2900575-0/abstract