Peanut oil: the facts**
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Will peanut oil cause allergic reactions for people with peanut allergy?
Research has shown that refined peanut oil will not cause allergic reactions for the overwhelming majority of people who are allergic to peanuts and if anyone does suffer a reaction it is likely to be mild. However, unrefined (crude) peanut oil is more likely to cause symptoms.
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The first major research on this subject was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 1997. Under strict medical surveillance, 60 adults with peanut allergy were fed refined peanut oil and also unrefined (crude) peanut oil. As a result, six of them suffered allergic reactions to the crude oil, but these were only mild reactions. None reacted to the refined oil.
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The research was part-funded by the London-based Seed Crushers and Oil Processors Association (SCOPA), and carried out by a team of independent researchers based in Southampton. All papers published in the BMJ are subject to thorough scrutiny by peer groups.
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Unrefined peanut oil contains small amounts of peanut protein (the part of the peanut which causes the allergic reaction), but these are believed to be removed during the refining process.
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If any protein solids are left, the amount is so small as to be undetectable by standard laboratory methods.
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What are the risks in restaurants?
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Based on the Southampton research, if a restaurant uses refined peanut oil, it is likely to be
safe for the vast proportion of people with peanut allergy and if anyone does suffer a reaction it is likely to be mild.
We would advise you to check with the staff whether the food you have chosen contains peanut oil, and whether it has been refined; if you are left in any doubt, it is best to make a different choice.
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Bear in mind that if refined oil has been used previously to fry a nutty product – for example, peanut cutlets or spring rolls – then this oil might be contaminated with peanut allergens. This therefore might not be safe for people with peanut allergy.
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Incidentally, the same holds true if an oil has been used to cook any allergenic food. For example, an oil used to fry fish would not be safe for someone with fish allergy.
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**We would like to clarify that the information provided on this page should be considered as a reference only, and not as an official statement from Joseph’s Fish & Chips.
This information has been obtained from Anaphylaxis UK, a charity supporting people living with serious allergies for over 25 years, offering evidence-based information for individuals and their families, for businesses and for schools and other places of education.
We want to ensure that there is no confusion about the origin of the information and that it is understood that we are not responsible for any inaccuracies or discrepancies that may arise from Anaphylaxis UK.
Moving forward, we will ensure that any information we provide is directly from Anaphylaxis UK. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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for the full report or visit https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk for more info and advice.
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