About
White peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are the shelled, skin-removed kernels of the peanut legume, widely used as a snack, in confectionery, peanut butter, and as a protein-rich food ingredient. They are valued for their high protein content (comparable to meat and eggs by PDCAAS), healthy fats, fibre, and bioactive compounds.
Safety summary
Peanuts are safe for the general adult population and recognized as GRAS; however, they are one of the most potent food allergens — classified as a major food allergen under US FALCPA and EU Regulation 1169/2011 — capable of causing severe anaphylaxis. Peanuts are also susceptible to aflatoxin contamination from Aspergillus molds; IARC classifies naturally occurring aflatoxin mixtures as Group 1 human carcinogens, and regulatory limits (FDA: 20 µg/kg; EU: 4 µg/kg total aflatoxins for direct consumption) are enforced globally to minimize this risk. For healthy adults consuming peanuts from regulated supply chains, no significant safety concern exists beyond allergenicity.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Peanuts are approved for food use. Peanuts are a mandatory declared allergen under Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Standard 1.2.3. Aflatoxin maximum level for peanuts is 15 µg/kg (total) per the Food Standards Code.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Peanuts approved for consumption; mandatory allergen labeling required under EU Regulation 1169/2011 (14 major allergens). Aflatoxin B1 maximum level: 2 µg/kg in peanut products for direct human consumption; total aflatoxins: 4 µg/kg for ready-to-eat peanuts (Commission Regulation EU No. 165/2010). EFSA CONTAM Panel recommends exposure be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) due to genotoxic carcinogenicity of aflatoxins.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Peanuts approved for food use in India. FSSAI mandates aflatoxin limits in groundnuts (total aflatoxins ≤30 µg/kg for groundnuts/peanuts per Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011). Allergen labeling for peanuts required on packaged foods.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Peanuts are approved for consumption and recognized as GRAS. Classified as one of nine major food allergens under FALCPA (2004) and FASTER Act (2023); mandatory allergen labeling required on all packaged foods. Aflatoxin maximum level set at 20 µg/kg (ppb) total aflatoxins in peanuts and peanut products (FDA CPG Sec. 570.375). |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1EFSA. Aflatoxins in food – EFSA CONTAM Panel scientific opinions. efsa.europa.eu
- 2FDA. CPG Sec. 570.375 Aflatoxins in Peanuts and Peanut Products. fda.gov
- 3PubMed. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp: The First FDA-approved Oral Immunotherapy for Desensitization of Peanut Allergy in Children, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FDA. FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy, 2017. fda.gov
- 5PubMed. Peanuts as functional food: a review, 2016. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6PubMed. Global Risk Assessment of Aflatoxins in Maize and Peanuts: Are Regulatory Standards Adequately Protective?, 2013. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
