About
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a legume widely consumed as a whole food and processed into peanut butter, oil, and flour; it is a rich source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is also one of the most prevalent and clinically severe food allergens worldwide, requiring mandatory labeling in all major jurisdictions.
Safety summary
Peanut is among the most common triggers of severe IgE-mediated food allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, with symptoms ranging from urticaria to vomiting, wheezing, and anaphylactic shock. Prevalence of food allergy and intolerance in the general population is estimated at 1–3% in adults and 4–6% in children, with peanut implicated in approximately 75% of allergic reactions in children alongside egg, cow's milk, fish, and nuts. Additionally, peanuts are susceptible to contamination with aflatoxins — classified by IARC as Group 1 carcinogens — when improperly stored or processed, representing a significant food-safety concern.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Peanut is listed under Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 as a mandatory allergen; must be declared on labels of all prepacked and non-prepacked foods in which it is intentionally used as an ingredient. EFSA confirmed mandatory labeling in its 2004 and 2014 Scientific Opinions.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Peanuts are approved food ingredients regulated under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. FSSAI has set aflatoxin maximum limits of 15 µg/kg (total AFs) and 10 µg/kg (AFB1) in nuts. Raw unprocessed peanuts sold in the supply chain are exempt from allergen labeling as raw agricultural commodities per FSSAI Labelling & Display FAQ guidance.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Peanut is designated a major food allergen under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA); mandatory declaration on all FDA-regulated food labels is required. Peanut as a whole food is approved for consumption with no ADI restriction.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) First Amendment Regulations, 2024 — Peanut butter, FRK, and Mycotoxin Limits, 2024. fssai.gov.in
- 2PubMed. Mycotoxin Monitoring, Regulation and Analysis in India: A Success Story, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the Evaluation of Allergenic Foods and Food Ingredients for Labelling Purposes (2014), 2014. efsa.europa.eu
- 4EFSA. EFSA Provides Scientific Basis for Labelling of Food Allergens (2004 Press Release), 2004. efsa.europa.eu
- 5FDA. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) — Major Food Allergens, 2004. fda.gov
