Hazelnut Paste | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Hazelnut paste is a semi-solid food ingredient made from ground roasted or raw hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.); it is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. It is widely used in the confectionery, bakery, and food manufacturing industries as a flavouring base, filling, and fat ingredient.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Hazelnut paste is broadly considered safe for the general adult population, with no established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) or regulatory maximum, as it is a whole food ingredient rather than a food additive. The primary safety concern is the potential presence of naturally occurring aflatoxins, though risk assessments indicate exposure from hazelnut paste consumption is below levels of health concern for adults. The most significant risk is for individuals with tree nut allergies, for whom hazelnut paste can trigger severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Hazelnut paste is not a food additive under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and is not assigned an E number. It is regulated as a food product. Hazelnuts are listed as a major allergen under EU food labelling law (Regulation EU 1169/2011), requiring mandatory declaration. Aflatoxin maximum limits in nuts apply under EC No 1881/2006.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Hazelnut paste is regulated as a processed nut product under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Tree nut allergen declaration is required under FSSAI labelling regulations. Aflatoxin contamination limits in nuts and nut products are governed by the FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Hazelnut paste is a whole food ingredient, not a regulated food additive. It is subject to general food safety requirements under 21 CFR. Tree nuts including hazelnuts are among the major food allergens requiring mandatory declaration on labels under FALCPA.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Nut Allergy — Hazelnuts are a major allergen regulated under FDA (FALCPA), EU (Regulation 1169/2011), and FSSAI labelling rules; hazelnut paste can trigger severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in sensitised individuals.

Infants — Nut pastes including hazelnut paste pose a choking risk and allergenic sensitisation concern in infants; introduction should follow paediatric dietary guidance.

Other — Individuals with latex-fruit syndrome may exhibit cross-reactivity to hazelnuts due to shared allergen proteins, and should exercise caution and consult a doctor before consuming hazelnut paste.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Understanding How the FDA Regulates Food Additives and GRAS Ingredients. fda.gov
2PubMed. Phytoextracts for Human Health from Raw and Roasted Hazelnuts and from Hazelnut Skin and Oil: A Narrative Review, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Effects of Hazelnut Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Acceptance: A Systematic Review, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. Presence of aflatoxins in hazelnut paste in Turkey and a risk assessment study, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Chilean hazelnut butter, a new alternative for consumers, 1993. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations