Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies: Using AllergenFinder at the Grocery Store

Peanut allergies and Tree Nut allergies are distinct. You can be allergic to one and not the other, or certain nuts but not all. AllergenFinder allows you to specify your exact restrictions in your own words, so you don't limit your diet unnecessarily.

Describing Your Restrictions

AllergenFinder uses free-text input for dietary restrictions, which means you write exactly what you need to avoid in plain language. You might write something like:

• "I am allergic to peanuts but tree nuts are fine"
• "Avoid all tree nuts"
• "I cannot have walnuts or pistachios, but almonds and cashews are okay"

How AllergenFinder Analyzes Labels

When you scan an ingredient label, AllergenFinder uses AI to read and interpret the entire label, including the ingredient list and any additional warnings or statements. The AI understands that ingredients can be listed under many different names and identifies potential matches based on your written restrictions.

The app returns a simple result: safe (green) or not safe (red). If any ingredient matches your restrictions, the product is flagged as not safe. This includes both direct ingredients and cross-contamination warnings like "may contain" or "processed in a facility with."

Understanding Cross-Contamination Warnings

Chocolate, ice cream, and granola bars are high-risk categories for nut allergies. AllergenFinder reads the fine print below the ingredient deck where manufacturers often disclose shared equipment or facility warnings. These warnings appear in many forms, such as "Made on shared equipment with peanuts" or "Processed in a facility that also processes tree nuts." The AI interprets these statements and flags them if they conflict with your restrictions.

Oils and Derivatives

Refined peanut oil is often considered safe for those with peanut allergies, but cold-pressed is not. Shea butter is a tree nut derivative sometimes found in chocolate. AllergenFinder's AI is designed to identify these less obvious ingredients when they appear on labels. If you want to be more or less cautious about derivatives, you can adjust how you describe your restrictions.