Are peanuts tree nuts?

No. Peanuts are legumes (related to beans and lentils), not tree nuts. They grow underground. Tree nuts grow on trees. The FDA classifies them as separate allergens because they are different biological families and people can be allergic to one without being allergic to the other.

What counts as a tree nut under FDA allergen rules?

FDA-recognized tree nuts include: almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts (filberts), chestnuts, pine nuts (pignolias), hickory nuts, lichee nuts, coconut (classified as tree nut by FDA), and beechnuts.

Do I need to specify which tree nut on my allergen menu?

Yes. Under FDA labeling rules, tree nuts must be identified by their specific common name (e.g., "almonds" or "cashews"), not just labeled generically as "tree nuts." Your disclosure should name the specific nut present.

Tree Nut vs. Peanut: Why They're Separate Allergens and What It Means for Your Menu

The Biological Difference

Peanuts are legumes — they grow underground and are botanically related to beans, lentils, and soybeans. They are not nuts at all.

Tree nuts are the seeds of trees — almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and others. They grow on branches.

Because they're different biological families, someone can be allergic to peanuts but perfectly safe eating tree nuts, or vice versa. However, about 25-40% of people with a peanut allergy are also allergic to at least one tree nut — which is why both must be disclosed separately.

The Full Tree Nut List

The FDA recognizes these as tree nuts for allergen labeling purposes:

Almonds
Cashews
Walnuts
Pecans
Pistachios
Brazil nuts
Macadamia nuts
Hazelnuts (filberts)
Chestnuts
Pine nuts (pignolias)
Hickory nuts
Coconut (yes — the FDA classifies coconut as a tree nut)
Lichee nuts
Beechnuts

Note on coconut: While botanically a fruit, the FDA classifies coconut as a tree nut for allergen labeling purposes. Most people with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut, but it must still be disclosed as a tree nut under federal rules.

Specificity Matters

Under FDA rules, you can't just say "contains tree nuts." You must identify the specific tree nut by its common name. "Contains almonds" — not "contains tree nuts."

This matters because a customer allergic to cashews but not almonds needs to knowwhich nut is in the dish. Generic "tree nut" labeling forces them to avoid everything, which is unnecessarily restrictive.

Where They Hide on Your Menu

Peanuts (less obvious appearances)

Peanut oil for frying
Satay sauce and many Thai dishes
African and West African stews
Peanut butter in smoothies or desserts
Some chili recipes use peanut butter as a thickener

Tree nuts (less obvious appearances)

Pesto (pine nuts or walnuts)
Amaretto and Frangelico (almonds, hazelnuts)
Marzipan and almond paste in desserts
Praline (pecans or almonds)
Orgeat syrup in cocktails (almonds)
Baklava (walnuts or pistachios)
Coconut milk in curries and soups
Walnut oil in salad dressings
Gianduja in chocolate (hazelnuts)

How to Disclose Correctly

For your allergen disclosure, be specific:

✓ "Pesto Pasta — Contains: tree nuts (pine nuts), milk"

✓ "Thai Peanut Noodles — Contains: peanuts, soybeans, wheat"

✓ "Baklava — Contains: tree nuts (walnuts, pistachios), wheat"

✗ "Pesto Pasta — Contains: nuts" (too vague)

✗ "Thai Peanut Noodles — Contains: tree nuts" (wrong category)

Get the Details Right

MenuComply distinguishes between peanuts and tree nuts in its AI suggestions and flags which specific nut is likely present based on the dish type. You verify and publish — with the right specificity from the start.

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