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🥜 Peanuts allergy: label names, hidden sources & scanning
Peanut is botanically a legume, but its allergy behaves like the most severe nut allergies — small traces can trigger reactions in sensitive people. Peanut flour and oil are widely used in processed and restaurant food, and "may contain" warnings are common.
Hidden label names our scanner matches
An ingredient list can contain peanuts without ever using the word. These are the actual terms Scallergy's matching engine checks — the same list the app uses when it scans a barcode:
Common derivatives
Where peanuts commonly hides
- candy and chocolate bars
- Asian and African sauces (satay)
- granola and energy bars
- baked goods
- some vegetarian meat substitutes
- fried foods (shared oil)
How Scallergy verdicts peanuts
Avoid — peanuts (or one of the label names above) appears in the product's ingredient list.
Caution — the product carries a “may contain” / cross-contamination warning for it.
Unknown — we don't have trustworthy ingredient data, and we say so instead of guessing. The verdict is always driven by what's in the product; the severity you set in your profile is shown as context.
Scan for peanuts in seconds
Set peanuts in your allergen profile once — every barcode scan checks all 10+ label names above automatically. Free, independent, no ads.
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Frequently asked questions
Which label names mean peanuts?
Beyond the word “peanuts” itself, look for terms like groundnut, groundnuts, arachis, goober, monkey nut, monkey nuts. These are the exact terms Scallergy's scanner matches when it checks an ingredient list.
Does peanuts have to be declared on the label?
Yes — in the EU (Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II) and the US (FALCPA/FASTER Act) peanuts must be emphasised in the ingredient list of prepacked food.
What does “may contain peanuts” mean?
“May contain” is a voluntary cross-contamination warning: the product doesn't list it as an ingredient, but it is made where contact is possible. Scallergy shows these as a Caution verdict — distinct from Avoid, which means the allergen is actually in the ingredient list.
Can Scallergy guarantee a product is peanuts-free?
No — no app can. Scallergy checks ingredient data from USDA FoodData Central, Open Food Facts, and community submissions, shows its source and an honest “Unknown” when data is thin, and is assistive only: always check the printed label and follow your allergist's advice.
Related allergens
Scallergy is assistive, not medical advice. Ingredient data can be incomplete or out of date — always check the physical label and consult an allergist about your allergies. Sources: EU Regulation 1169/2011 (Annex II); US FALCPA (2004) and FASTER Act (2021); our data sources.