Peanuts How are peanut allergies and severe peanut allergic reactions treated? Currently there is no cure for peanut allergies. The only option is complete avoidance of the specific allergen. Appropriate emergency treatment for anaphylaxis (a severe food allergy reaction) includes an injection of adrenaline, which is available in an auto-injector device. Adrenaline must be administered as soon as symptoms of a severe allergic reaction appear. The injection must be followed by further treatment and observation in a hospital emergency room. If your allergist has diagnosed you with a food allergy and prescribed adrenaline, carry it with you all the time and know how to use it. Follow your allergist's advice on how to use an auto-injector device. Avoiding peanut and peanut derivatives The best way to avoid peanut allergies is to make sure you read product labels carefully to avoid products that contain peanut and peanut derivatives. Read labels every time you go shopping. Check the following list before you go shopping:
Other names for
peanuts Possible sources of peanuts
Almond & hazelnut paste, marzipan, nougat, icing,
glazes,
Non-food sources of
peanuts What can I do? Before eating Allergists recommend that if you do not have your auto-injector device with you that you do not eat. If an ingredient list says a product "may contain" or "does contain" peanut or peanut derivatives, do not eat it. If you do not recognize an ingredient or there is no ingredient list available, avoid the product. Watch out for allergen cross contamination! Cross contamination is the transfer of an ingredient (food allergen) to a product that does not normally have that ingredient in it. Through cross contamination, a food that should not contain the allergen could become dangerous to eat for those who are allergic. Cross contamination can happen: • during food manufacturing through shared production and packaging equipment; • at retail through shared equipment, e.g., cheese and deli meats sliced on the same slicer; and through bulk display of food products, e.g., bins of baked goods, bulk nuts; and • during food preparation at home or in restaurants through equipment, utensils and hands.
I have a peanut allergy. How do I avoid a peanut-related reaction? Avoid all food that contain peanut or peanut derivatives. These include any product whose ingredient list warns it "may contain traces of" or "may contain" peanut. Is there a way I can be certain a product doesn’t contain peanut or peanut derivatives? Always read the ingredients list carefully. Peanut and peanut derivatives can often be present under many different names, e.g., arachis oil, arachide or maybe valencia’s. For a complete list of other common ingredient label names, refer to the list above. What do I do if I am not sure whether a product contains peanut or peanut derivatives? If you have a peanut allergy, do not eat or use the product. Get ingredient information from the manufacturer.
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