Tree nuts in the United Kingdom: label rules and introduction guidance

Are tree nuts on the UK's list of 14 allergens?

The FSA describes the tree nut allergen with the examples almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts, which are the eight nuts named in the EU regulation the UK kept in its own law. Pine nuts and chestnuts are not among them. Each nut is emphasised by name in the ingredient list, so a label shows 'walnuts' or 'cashews' in bold. Natasha's Law brings shop-made items into the rule, so a walnut loaf baked and bagged on the premises now needs a full ingredient list with the nut emphasised.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) lists the same 14 allergens as the EU; the EU rules were kept when the UK left and are now assimilated law. On prepacked food, an allergen must be emphasised each time it appears in the ingredient list. Food prepacked for direct sale, packed on the same premises that sell it, needs a full ingredient list with allergens emphasised, the rule known as Natasha's Law since October 2021. Loose food still needs allergen information, given in writing or verbally with a clear written notice.

• Food Standards Agency: Allergen guidance for food businesses

What NHS guidance says about introducing tree nuts

The NHS puts nuts and peanuts together in its list of foods that can trigger allergic reactions and advises serving them finely ground or as nut butters rather than whole. Its one-at-a-time approach applies here too, so each new nut can be introduced as its own new food and recorded separately in a diary. The NHS does not give a separate timing rule for tree nuts beyond starting allergens from around 6 months. If your baby has eczema or a family history of nut allergy, your GP or health visitor can advise before you start.

In the UK, the NHS advises introducing the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time from around 6 months, so that you can spot any reaction. If your baby has eczema or there is a family history of allergy, the NHS suggests talking to your GP or health visitor first.

• NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children

Logging tree nuts in the app

The UK and EU lists match, so UK families get the same 14-allergen schedule as the EU. In the schedule, tree nuts appears as Nuts. 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. Log each nut by name, almond or cashew rather than 'nuts', so your record matches the way labels name them. 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.