About
What it is and where it shows up.
Almond pieces are the fragmented kernel of the almond tree (Prunus dulcis), used widely in food manufacturing as a flavour, texture, and nutritional ingredient in baked goods, confectionery, cereals, snack foods, and dairy alternatives. They provide protein, healthy monounsaturated fats, dietary fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Almonds are a well-established whole food with a long history of safe consumption and broad regulatory approval worldwide; no ADI is established as they are not a food additive. The primary safety concern for the general population is the naturally occurring cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin, present at low levels in sweet almonds, which is not a risk at normal dietary intakes but is a concern if bitter almonds are consumed in quantity. Almonds are a major tree-nut allergen and must be declared on labels in all major jurisdictions.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Almonds are an approved food ingredient under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Tree nuts including almonds are a mandatory declarable allergen under Standard 1.2.3.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Almonds are approved as a food. EU Regulation sets maximum levels for aflatoxin contamination in almonds; EFSA CONTAM Panel concluded that incremental changes to these ML would have only minor effects on cancer risk. Almonds are listed as a mandatory declarable allergen under EU food information legislation (Annex II, Regulation EU 1169/2011). Sweet almond products (marzipan, persipan) are subject to EFSA cyanogenic glycoside limits.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Almonds are regulated as a conventional food under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. They are permissible as food ingredients and in nutraceutical/health supplement formulations under FSSR 2016. Allergen labelling is required.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Almonds are a whole food with a long history of safe use, not subject to food-additive premarket approval. Under FALCPA, almonds must be declared as a major tree-nut allergen on all FDA-regulated food labels (21 CFR; FALCPA 2004). Mandatory pasteurization of California-grown almonds applies under 7 CFR Part 981. |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Nut Allergy — Almonds are a major tree-nut allergen recognised by FDA (FALCPA), EFSA, and FSANZ; ingestion can cause reactions ranging from urticaria and vomiting to life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitised individuals.
Infants — Whole or large almond pieces present a choking hazard for infants and toddlers; almond-based products should only be introduced in age-appropriate forms (e.g., smooth almond butter thinly spread) and with medical guidance given the high allergen risk in this age group.
Kidney Disease — Almonds are high in oxalates and phosphorus, which can accumulate in individuals with impaired kidney function and may contribute to kidney stone formation or electrolyte imbalance; portion control is advised.
Ibs — Almonds contain moderate amounts of FODMAPs; large portions may trigger bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, though small servings (up to ~10 nuts) are generally tolerated.
Other — Bitter almonds (as opposed to sweet almond pieces sold commercially) contain high levels of amygdalin (cyanogenic glycoside); even small quantities can exceed the acute reference dose for cyanide — consumption of bitter almond products should be avoided by all groups.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FDA. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) — Guidance on Major Food Allergens. fda.gov
- 2EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of health risks related to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides in foods (EFSA CONTAM Panel). efsa.europa.eu
- 3EFSA. Food allergens — EFSA overview of allergenic foods including tree nuts (almonds). efsa.europa.eu
- 4FDA. GRAS Notice for Partially Defatted Almond Protein Flour (Blue Diamond Growers), 2020. fda.gov
- 5EFSA. Aflatoxins in food: EFSA assesses new proposed maximum levels for almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios, 2007. efsa.europa.eu
Independently researched5 citations