Using Pine Nuts - Are we (legally) Nut-Free or Not Nut-Free?

Hello

We only supply UK customers at present, mostly food-service, some retail.

We are currently nut-free, by this I mean that no nuts are used in any recipes or are present on site. We don't expect all our suppliers to be nut-free but would evaluate specific ingredients by risk-assessment.

We have the potential need to use pine nuts in new recipes. These are not nuts by EU definition but some customer policies classify pine nuts as nuts.

It isn't uncommon for pine nut suppliers to also pack nuts on site (if anyone knows any UK suppliers of pine nuts that are nut-free, I would appreciate hearing of them).

My question is whether our use of pine nuts would allow us to still call our factory "nut-free" legally.

Also, for declaration on the label, is there a choice of "pine nuts" or "pine kernels" or do we have to say "pine nuts"?

Many thanks in advance.

You are nut free. Pine nuts are not nuts but seeds. Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense pine nuts are seeds; being a gymnosperm, they lack a carpel (fruit) outside. In ready to eat meals we use pine nuts and they are classified as seeds. I would use a term most acceptable with the public, pine nuts. on your label.

Bill

We only supply UK customers at present, mostly food-service, some retail.

We are currently nut-free, by this I mean that no nuts are used in any recipes or are present on site. We don't expect all our suppliers to be nut-free but would evaluate specific ingredients by risk-assessment.

We have the potential need to use pine nuts in new recipes. These are not nuts by EU definition but some customer policies classify pine nuts as nuts.

It isn't uncommon for pine nut suppliers to also pack nuts on site (if anyone knows any UK suppliers of pine nuts that are nut-free, I would appreciate hearing of them).

My question is whether our use of pine nuts would allow us to still call our factory "nut-free" legally.

Also, for declaration on the label, is there a choice of "pine nuts" or "pine kernels" or do we have to say "pine nuts"?

Many thanks in advance.

I wouldn't trust wikipedia when trying to make a determination regarding food laws...

The USA, EU and Canada all consider Pine nuts (though yes they are technically a seed) under the Tree Nuts category of Allergens. So no, you would not be considered technically nut-free and would have to treat and label the product as such.

Dear All,

Apparently the USFDA viewpoint regarding pine "nut's" allergenic category in 2011 > included in "tree nuts".

http://www.fda.gov/F...y/ucm238807.htm

Rgds / Charles.C

PS - Wikipedia seems to agree -
http://en.wikipedia....ree_nut_allergy

PPS - Consumers do seem a bit confused -
http://forums.penny-...gy-to-tree-nuts

Thank you all for your opinions.