Peanuts vs tree nuts: how EU allergen law separates them
Published 2026-10-01 · PlateNote
Corrected 2026-10-08: clarified that a check for 'nuts' does not cover peanuts.
EU allergen law treats peanuts and nuts as two different allergens. In Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, item 5 is peanuts and products thereof, and item 8 is nuts.
“Nuts” means these eight tree nuts
almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecan nuts, Brazil nuts, pistachio nuts, and macadamia or Queensland nuts — and products thereof. Nuts used for making alcoholic distillates are exempt.
Why it matters when you travel
- If you react to peanuts, ask about peanuts specifically. In EU allergen law, peanuts and the eight listed tree nuts are separate categories — ask the staff which ingredients they checked.
- Nuts not in that list (for example pine nuts or coconut) are not part of the legal allergen list, so a kitchen may not track them. Name them explicitly if they matter to you.
- The words differ a lot between languages: peanuts are aardnoten (NL), Erdnüsse (DE), arachides (FR), cacahuetes (ES), arachidi (IT), amendoins (PT). Tree nuts are noten, Schalenfrüchte, fruits à coque, frutos de cáscara, frutta a guscio, frutos de casca rija.
All names are copied from the official language versions of the regulation; see the full table.
Make your own free allergy card. Tick your allergens, add a second language in the official EU wording, and get a printable PDF by email.
A card is a communication aid; it does not guarantee that food is safe.