Navigating Food Allergies is tough and can be tricky. Reading labels and ingredients list takes time and there can be a learning curve to it. Something that surprises many is that peanuts and tree nuts aren’t related and to make matters more confusing, coconut has been mixed into the tree nut conversation for years but it isn’t even a nut. Let’s break it down.
It can be stressful when specifically trying to avoid peanuts and tree nuts. They are everywhere and can trigger severe and often fatal reactions. Despite often being grouped together, Peanuts and Tree Nuts are related, botanically that is. Peanuts are a legumes, like beans and lentils. The grow underground and not on trees. Still, peanut allergies are one of the most common and most serious. Reactions can be life-threatening, which is why those with allergies or their care-givers always carry epinephrine everywhere they go and often practice strict avoidance. Restaurants, parties, buffets, pot-lucks all require extra vigilance.
Tree nuts are exactly what the sound like, nuts that grow on trees. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts are some that immediately come to mind although there are more. There is a lot of overlap between them and typically if a person is allergic to one, they are allergic to another or more. My daughter is also allergic to tree pollen which tracks considering she is allergic to Tree Nuts. You may be too. Typically, for an allergy of one, you avoid them all. Doctors often recommend steering clear of all tree nuts, just to be sure and safe.
This is where it can get fuzzy or confusing – Coconuts. Literally has nut in the name but botanically it is actually a fruit, a drupe to be exact. Most people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut and coconut allergies are pretty rare. Other fruit in the drupe family are olives and peaches.
According to my research, in 2004 when the FDA created rules under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) the regulators wanted to make sure that no possible allergen slipped through the cracks. (Applause here!) Out of caution, they lumped coconut in with tree nuts despite the science not supporting it. I appreciate this cautious approach but it did cause confusion. Recently at 7 Brew, a very conscientious employee ran out to double check the safety of our order because we had something that contained coconut, (Kudos to 7 Brew!) but the drink was safe for my Allergy Warrior because coconut was the only questionable ingredient.
Because of the extra caution, food labeling added contains tree nuts on things that may have been safe for many tree nut allergic folks.
In early 2025, the FDA updated the allergen guidance and coconut was removed. The agency concluded that coconut doesn’t behave like almonds, cashews, or other tree nuts when it comes to allergies.
That means food manufactures no longer have to list coconut under the “Contains: tree nuts warning.
Instead, coconut will appear like any other ingredient. Talk to your doctor and allergist about steps to take to take in your journey based on the FDA’s changes.
What is the bottom line? Peanuts and Tree Nuts sound similar, but they are completely different. Coconut is caught in the middle like the kid in a divorce. Updated FDA guidance says we stop treating coconut like a tree nut.
That doesn’t mean that coconut allergies don’t exist. Always check with your doctor and allergist before changing you diet!
But families with nut allergies can make different, perhaps more informed and less restrictive decisions about food intake and cooking oil choices.
