ASCIA Dietary Guide - Tree Nut Allergy
This document has been developed by ASCIA, the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand. ASCIA information is based on published literature and expert review, is not influenced by commercial organisations and is not intended to replace medical advice. For patient or carer support contact Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia or Allergy New Zealand.
ASCIA Dietary Avoidance for Food Allergy FAQ should be used with the ASCIA dietary guide for tree nut allergy.
ASCIA PC Dietary Avoidance Food Allergy FAQ 2023273.67 KB
ASCIA PC Dietary Guide for Tree Nut Allergy 2023126.56 KB
Tree nuts such as almonds, cashews and walnuts can be found in a variety of foods including chocolate, cereal, muesli bars, and bakery items. Avoiding tree nuts is essential for people with confirmed tree nut allergy.
The following foods and ingredients CONTAIN tree nuts and should be avoided:
Almonds |
Hazelnut/filberts |
Nut flavoured alcoholic liqueurs and syrups |
Almond paste |
Hickory nuts |
Nut paste, butter or spreads |
Almond meal |
Macadamia nuts |
Pecan/mashuga nuts |
Artificial nuts |
Macaroons |
Pine nuts/Indian nuts |
Beer nuts |
Marzipan |
Pistachio |
Brazil nuts |
Natural nut extract |
Pralines |
Carponata |
Non-gai nuts |
Walnuts |
Cashews |
Nougat |
Nut paste, butter or spreads |
Check these foods to see if they contain tree nuts. If they do, avoid them:
African dishes |
Flavouring (natural / artificial) |
Nut pastes or spreads |
Asian/Indian dishes |
Flavoured coffees, drinks |
Pasta sauces |
Baked goods |
Frozen desserts |
Pastries |
Biscuits |
Fudge |
Pesto |
Breakfast cereals |
Health food bars |
Praline |
Cakes, slices |
Ice cream |
Salads, salad dressings |
Chocolate |
Lollies |
Snack foods |
Chocolate spreads |
Marzipan |
Stuffing |
Crackers |
Mexican dishes |
Takeaway/restaurant food |
Dips |
Nougat |
Turkish delight |
Dried fruit mixes, trail mix |
Nut oils |
Vegetarian/vegan foods |
Dukkah |
The words “may contain traces of tree nuts” on a food label indicates that the food is made in a facility that makes other foods containing tree nuts. Raw ingredients may be contaminated with tree nuts even though the food does not contain tree nuts as an ingredient.
Unlabelled food or food consumed outside the home has a higher risk than food labelled as possibly containing traces. Discuss what to do about these foods with a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
Prepared food that is not labelled (such as food from cake shops, food malls and restaurants), may contain or be contaminated with tree nuts.
While nuts can look and taste similar, it is possible to be allergic to only one nut or to more than one nut. Discuss what to do about other nuts with a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
The food lists included in this document are not exhaustive. People with food allergy should always check foods labels each time products are purchased.
© ASCIA 2023
Content updated 2019
Format updated June 2023
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy and
www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-other-adverse-reactions
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