Hazelnut
Hazelnuts are a tree nut used whole, chopped, or as a paste in chocolate spreads and confectionery. Hazelnut is one of the major recognised food allergens, capable of triggering reactions from mild oral itching to anaphylaxis, and must be avoided by anyone with a tree nut allergy.
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) is used ground, roasted, or as paste in confectionery and spreads. Tree nut allergy is a common cause of severe food-allergic reactions and is generally lifelong.
EU law requires tree nuts, including hazelnut, to be declared explicitly among the 14 major allergens. Because reactions can occur at very low doses and cross-contact is common, people with a diagnosed tree nut allergy are advised to avoid "may contain nuts" products as well.
Who this affects
Avoid
- Nut allergy: A declarable EU tree-nut allergen.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Hazelnut is a tree nut, and tree nuts are one of the 14 allergens that must, by law, be declared on food sold in the UK and EU (under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011). Where hazelnut is present it must be emphasised in the ingredients list, so always check the physical label to confirm.
Not without medical advice. It is common to be allergic to more than one tree nut because they share similar proteins, so someone allergic to other nuts may also react to hazelnut. Anaphylaxis UK advises only introducing a nut after allergy testing and discussion with your specialist — this is general information, not medical advice.
Yes. Hazelnut is a plant food (the nut of the hazel tree), so it contains no animal-derived ingredients and fits a vegan diet, which excludes all products derived from animals. Note that a hazelnut product can still be non-vegan if combined with other ingredients such as milk chocolate or honey.
Yes. Plain hazelnuts are naturally gluten-free, as gluten is a protein found only in wheat, barley and rye. However, processed or flavoured hazelnut products can contain gluten or be made where cross-contamination occurs, so check the label for a gluten-free statement.
Hazelnut is a common trigger of pollen food syndrome, where the immune system cross-reacts between certain pollens (such as birch) and proteins in raw nuts, fruits and vegetables. This can cause itching of the mouth, lips and throat, usually with raw hazelnut. Because symptoms can occasionally be more serious, discuss any reaction with a healthcare professional.
Yes. As a tree nut, hazelnut is one of the 14 regulated allergens and must be declared and emphasised (e.g. in bold) wherever it is used as an ingredient. Note that “may contain” cross-contamination warnings are voluntary and cannot be relied upon for trace amounts, so the physical label is always the authoritative source.