Hidden peanut and tree nut names on food labels

Updated 29 October 2026 · By IngrediLens

Peanut and tree nut allergies are among the food allergies most often linked with severe reactions, and they are often lifelong. Nuts hide in sweets, sauces, baked goods and cosmetics, often under names that do not say "nut". This guide lists the names to look for and the rules behind them.

Peanuts and tree nuts are different allergens

• Peanuts (groundnuts) are legumes that grow underground.
• Tree nuts grow on trees: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews and others.

On labels they are separate allergens. Some people are allergic to peanuts only, some to one or two tree nuts, some to both. Your allergist will tell you which ones you need to avoid. Do not assume a nut is fine because a related one is.

Which nuts the law covers

Pine nuts are not on the EU list, so on EU labels they appear without emphasis. More background is in the 14 EU allergens and the 9 US allergens.

Names that mean peanut

• peanut, groundnut, monkey nuts, beer nuts
• arachis oil, Arachis hypogaea (peanut oil, the INCI name on cosmetics)
• peanut butter, peanut flour, peanut protein, ground nuts
• satay and many Indonesian, Thai, West African and Chinese sauces
• mandelonas (peanuts flavoured to taste like almonds)
• "hydrolysed vegetable protein" can occasionally come from peanut. In the EU, UK and US the source must be named.

Names that mean tree nuts

• marzipan and almond paste (almonds), amaretti, frangipane, macaroons (often almond)
• praline (usually hazelnut or almond), gianduja (chocolate and hazelnut), nougat, torrone, turrón
• pesto (traditionally pine nuts, but sometimes cashews or walnuts)
• nut butters, nut milks (almond drink, cashew drink), nut oils (walnut oil, hazelnut oil)
• baklava (pistachio, walnut), dukkah, many granolas and muesli bars
• nut flours: ground almonds, almond flour (common in gluten-free and keto baking)
• natural flavourings in liqueurs, such as amaretto and Frangelico. Spirits made with nuts are exempt from EU allergen labelling when distilled.

Names on cosmetics (INCI)

Nut oils are common in skincare, massage oils and hair products:

• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) oil
• Corylus Avellana (hazelnut) oil
• Juglans Regia (walnut) oil or shell powder
• Macadamia Ternifolia or Macadamia Integrifolia seed oil
• Bertholletia Excelsa (Brazil nut) oil
• Pistacia Vera (pistachio) oil
• Arachis Hypogaea (peanut) oil

More on cosmetic labels is in reading INCI lists.

Names that sound like nuts but usually are not

• nutmeg (a seed), water chestnut (a vegetable), butternut squash
• coconut, shea, cocoa and kola are not on the main legal nut lists, but allergies to them do exist
• pine nuts, chestnuts and beech nuts are seeds or nuts not on the EU list. Ask your allergist.

Cross-contact and eating out

Nuts are often handled on shared lines in chocolate, biscuit, cereal and ice-cream production, so "may contain nuts" is very common. See what "may contain" means. In restaurants, nuts can be in sauces, dressings, desserts and garnishes. Woks and fryers may be shared. Tell staff clearly and show a restaurant allergy card.

If a reaction happens

Signs of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the throat or tongue, wheezing, feeling faint, and collapse. Use the person's adrenaline auto-injector straight away if they have one, call emergency services (112, 999 or 911), and follow the NHS or your doctor's advice on lying down and using a second injector.

How IngrediLens helps

IngrediLens can track peanuts and tree nuts as separate filters. It highlights names like arachis oil, marzipan, praline, gianduja and the Latin INCI names on cosmetics, and it flags "may contain nuts" statements. Premium adds family profiles and a printable school or caregiver card that lists what to avoid and an emergency contact. The app can miss text, so check the label yourself, and never rely on it in place of your emergency plan.