topic Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy in Recipes

Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

IamMrsG — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:07:00 GMT

I need quick advice, and cannot get it from Durkee. Legal department, I suspect.

I am baking a cake for this weekend. One guest has an allergy to all tree nuts. Knowing this, would you feel safe using IMITATION Almond flavoring? The whole ingredient list reads: "Water, alcohol, artificial flavors." There is no mention of almond oil.

Thank you, one and all, for your actual experience with this. I certainly don't want to endanger anyone.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

butterfly123 — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:22:33 GMT

@IamMrsG

I wouldn’t use imitation almond extract.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-almond-extract-safe-for-a-tree-nut-allergy-1324375

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

IamMrsG — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:54:20 GMT

@butterfly123 Thank you for your response. I also read that article you referenced, and it implies the flavoring would be safe--that since the ingredient list specifies "artificial flavors" it is likely a laboratory chemical that never 'saw' a tree.

That is what is causing my dilemma. The recipe would certainly benefit from the flavor, but I don't yet feel completely safe in using it.

Edited to correct typo

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

loriqvc — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:06:35 GMT

@IamMrsG - One other thing to keep in mind: If your guest smells or tastes the almond, he or she might not be comfortable eating the cake even if there were assurances that it would be safe to do so. Good luck with your baking!

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

IamMrsG — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:13:07 GMT

@loriqvc You nailed my other thought!

In spite of my strong suspicion it would be all right, I think I will not use the flavoring and avoid any drama.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

loriqvc — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:15:38 GMT

@IamMrsG - I think that's probably for the best—I hope your cake turns out great!

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

x Hedge — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 23:10:55 GMT

@IamMrsG

I'd play it safe and ask the guest with the allergy if that product is on their "safe" list.

I have a dear friend with a lot of allergies. Some are life threatening. She rarely eats anything when out on social occasions. Don't be offended if your guest doesn't eat.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

KathyM23 — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 01:31:43 GMT

I would err on the safe side and bake something totally unrelated to nuts. My granddaughter is allergic to tree nuts and when she somes to my house I remove any and all nuts. I have a peanut allergy and am leary of what I eat. Many restaurants use peanut oil and I always thought they were taking a chance as many are allergic to peanuts (especially children).

I say it is better to be safe than sorry and to make your guest comfortable, I would remove any question of nuts. Many delicious items to bake other than the one using artificial almond.

Knowing how I feel wondering about the presence of peanuts, I am sure your friend would not be comfortable.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

BirkiLady — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 02:53:06 GMT

My grandson is also allergic to tree nuts. He doesn't eat anything that is prepared in a kitchen that has nuts or nut products of any kind in it. Period. His life depends upon it.

It would surprise me if your guest took a piece of your cake. Don't be offended. They cannot afford to eat anything they haven't inspected themselves.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

loriqvc — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 03:45:55 GMT

@KathyM23 - Interestingly, virtually all commercially available peanut oil has been so refined and purified by the time it reaches a bottle that it has no traces of peanuts in it. The only exception is cold-pressed peanut oil, which is occasionally used for flavoring or a final touch on a dish but almost never for cooking/frying.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

BirkiLady — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 04:56:36 GMT

@loriqvc @KathyM23 It's still dangerous to those with severe allergies to tree nuts. Doesn't have to be just peanuts! My grandson (and his parents) are very, very cautious. His epi pen is with him at all times. We've had too many scares when he was younger by well-meaning relatives who thought they were cooking "nut-free" receipes, but their kitchens had residue of various nuts from previous cooking. They didn't have a clue how long beforehand they had had walnuts or other nuts in their salads or other preparations.

It IS life threatening.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

loriqvc — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 05:28:00 GMT

@BirkiLady - I totally empathize with what you're saying—I go through the same thing with shellfish and a few other forms of seafood. There are restaurants in my area where I not only can't have anything on the menu, but I also can't even go sit with friends while they eat if we're having a get-together because my allergies affect my health so intensely.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

Kachina624 — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 06:32:19 GMT

@IamMrsG. I just today bought a bottle of almond extract, McCormick brand, so I still had the box. It contains water, alcohol, and benzaldehyde (whatever that is). Like everything else the bottle has become a miniature, containing one whole ounce. I could buy amaretto cheaper.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

Kachina624 — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 06:45:50 GMT

@IamMrsG. Do you have any Amaretto di Saronno in the house? It's possible you could substitute it.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

IamMrsG — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 20:27:08 GMT

Thank you all for your responses. I wound up making a second cake--all vanilla--for the allergic guests. BTW, I still have not received an answer from Durkee about what 'artificial flavors' they use.

@Kachina624 your suggestion for amaretto is a good one I had not considered! For future reference, I will be sure to ask the guests about it. Besides for lab. chemicals, did you know artificial almond flavor comes from the kernels of peach pits? I've tasted them before, and they do look and taste exactly like almonds. That is what I suspect Durkee's flavor is made from, which would have been perfectly safe for my guests, but they're hesitant to expose themselves to liability. (?) I dunno.

BTW, if anyone is interested, I posted a photo of the cake that started all this brouhaha, a 3D chess board, in the Your Favorite Cake thread.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

IamMrsG — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 20:41:07 GMT

@loriqvc wrote:
Interestingly, virtually all commercially available peanut oil has been so refined and purified by the time it reaches a bottle that it has no traces of peanuts in it. The only exception is cold-pressed peanut oil, which is occasionally used for flavoring or a final touch on a dish but almost never for cooking/frying.

It surprises me, but my guest can eat peanuts with no problem. It's only tree nuts to which she's allergic. Maybe I should have used peanut butter in my cake.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

Nightowlz — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 21:01:51 GMT

I would not use it unless absolutely sure.

Durkee also makes a Pure Almond Extract. If both extracts are made in the same facility then the imitation would be made where nuts would have been used. Wonder if it says anything about that on the box?

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy ETA: Durkee Answer Rec'd

IamMrsG — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 16:04:42 GMT

The cake that started all this is a memory now, but I just received a response from Durkee about the safety of their Imitation Almond Flavor for those who are allergic to tree nuts. It is:

"In response to your email, there are no tree nuts in Durkee artificial almond; no allergens at all, in fact. A customer w/tree nut allergens may consume the Durkee Imitation Almond flavor safely."

I hope this is helpful for all with this concern. ---Mrs. G.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy

loriqvc — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 16:45:22 GMT

@IamMrsG - I'm glad you received a response! Thanks for sharing the details.

Re: Need advice regarding tree nut allergy ETA: Durkee Answer Rec'd

Nightowlz — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:46:10 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
The cake that started all this is a memory now, but I just received a response from Durkee about the safety of their Imitation Almond Flavor for those who are allergic to tree nuts. It is:

"In response to your email, there are no tree nuts in Durkee artificial almond; no allergens at all, in fact. A customer w/tree nut allergens may consume the Durkee Imitation Almond flavor safely."

I hope this is helpful for all with this concern. ---Mrs. G.

@IamMrsG

Did you ask the person/persons with the nut allergy about it when they came over?

If I had a nut allergy I think I would be afraid to eat it since it has the word almond in it. That's just me.