Peanut in Australia and New Zealand: label rules and introduction guidance

Is peanut on the FSANZ allergen list?

Under the Food Standards Code, 'peanut' is a required name in its own right, separate from the nine tree nuts that must each be named. Since PEAL came into force, a muesli bar containing peanut shows peanut in bold in the ingredient list and again in a bold summary statement such as 'Contains peanut'. That summary sits in the same field of view as the ingredients, so the check takes a second. Food packaged before 25 February 2024 under the older wording could be sold until 25 February 2026, so older formats should now have left the shelves.

Standard 1.2.3 and Schedule 9 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code require allergens to be declared using set 'required names'. Under the Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) rules in force since 25 February 2024, each allergen appears in bold in the statement of ingredients and again in a bold summary statement beginning with 'Contains', placed next to the ingredients. Food labelled before that date under the old rules could stay on sale until 25 February 2026. 'May contain' statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Code.

• FSANZ: Allergen labelling for food businesses

What ASCIA guidance says about introducing peanut

ASCIA's Recommendation 4 says peanut, in an age-appropriate form such as smooth peanut butter, finely ground peanut or peanut flour, should be included in your baby's diet soon after they are developmentally ready and have started solid foods; ASCIA rates the evidence as moderate. Recommendation 11 adds that once peanut is in, if there are no signs of an allergic reaction, it should continue to be offered at least once a week. ASCIA's safe food practices say whole nuts or pieces should be avoided for children under 4 years. Recommendation 6 says an allergy to another food is not a reason to hold peanut back. Your doctor can advise if your baby has eczema or an existing allergy.

ASCIA, the peak professional body of clinical immunology and allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand, published its updated Guideline: Infant Feeding for Food Allergy Prevention in 2026. It recommends starting solids when your baby shows signs of developmental readiness, usually around 6 months and not before 4 months, introducing only one new common allergen at a meal, and continuing to offer each allergen at least once a week once it is in, unless there has been an allergic reaction.

• ASCIA Guideline: Infant Feeding for Food Allergy Prevention (2026), summary of recommendations

Logging peanut in the app

Set your region to Australia / New Zealand and the app's allergen schedule follows the FSANZ list. In the schedule, peanut appears as Peanut. Each allergen entry moves from not started to introduced, cleared or reaction, and the 14-day window keeps new foods spaced out so a delayed reaction is easier to match to a food. Note the form you offered, such as thinned smooth peanut butter or peanut powder, so later offerings are easy to compare. If you see a symptom, log it with its severity; the paediatrician report gathers the dates into one PDF for your next appointment. It is a record for you and your doctor, not a diagnosis.