Product Ingredient Checks

A systematic approach to checking product labels and ingredients. Know what to look for, what to avoid, and when to double-check with manufacturers.

Quick Ingredient Checker

Paste an ingredients list below and we'll highlight potential allergens from the UK 14 major allergens. This tool is for demonstration purposes only and should not be relied upon 100% - always check labels yourself and contact manufacturers when in doubt.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This checker is for demonstration purposes only and should not be relied upon 100%. Ingredient formulations can change, scientific names may be missed, and this tool cannot replace careful label reading and manufacturer verification. Always read product labels yourself and contact manufacturers when in doubt.

What to Look For

Direct Nut Ingredients

These should be clearly listed in bold or in an allergen statement:

Almonds, almond oil, almond extract
Brazil nuts
Cashews, cashew nuts
Hazelnuts, filberts
Macadamia nuts
Peanuts (technically a legume, but often grouped with tree nuts)
Pecans
Pistachios
Walnuts

Hidden Names

Watch out for these less obvious terms:

Marzipan (almond paste)
Nougat (often contains almonds or hazelnuts)
Praline (usually contains nuts)
Nutella (hazelnuts)
Amaretto (almond flavour)
Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
Nut oils (almond oil, walnut oil, etc.)

Unexpected sources to watch for:

Alcohol filtered through almond shells:

Some spirits, particularly gin, are filtered through almond shells during the production process. This filtering method can leave trace amounts of almond protein in the final product, which poses a risk for those with almond allergies. For example, Bombay Sapphire gin uses this filtration method. Always check with the manufacturer or look for allergen information on the bottle if you have a nut allergy.

Wine finings through fish scales:

Many wines use a process called fining to clarify the liquid and remove sediment. Some winemakers use isinglass (derived from fish swim bladders) or other fish-derived products in this process. While the fining agent is typically removed before bottling, trace amounts may remain, which could affect those with fish allergies. This is particularly common in traditional winemaking methods. Always check wine labels for allergen information or contact the winery directly if you have a fish allergy.

Pet food containing allergens:

Dog and cat food can contain allergens like peanut butter or lupin as ingredients. This is important to know if you handle pet food regularly, as cross-contamination can occur. For example, THE PACK No-Fishy Dishy wet dog food contains ingredients that may include peanut butter or lupin. Always read pet food labels carefully, especially if you have severe allergies and handle pet food, as residue on your hands could potentially cause a reaction.

Understanding "May Contain" Warnings

In the UK and EU, manufacturers must clearly label if a product contains any of the 14 major allergens. But "may contain" warnings are voluntary and can be confusing.

What "May Contain" Actually Means:

The product doesn't intentionally contain nuts
But it's made in a facility that also handles nuts
There's a risk of cross-contamination
It's a legal protection for the manufacturer

Your Decision:

Whether you avoid "may contain" products is a personal risk assessment. Some people with severe allergies avoid them entirely. Others check with manufacturers about their cleaning procedures and risk management. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

"Free-From" Labels Explained

Products labelled "nut-free" or "free from nuts" should be safe, but it's still worth checking the ingredients list yourself.

"Nut-free" means the product doesn't contain nuts as an ingredient
"Made in a nut-free facility" is the gold standard - no nuts are processed in that facility
"Suitable for nut allergy sufferers" is a marketing term - always verify
Some "free-from" products may still have "may contain" warnings if they're made in shared facilities

When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly. Most have customer service teams who can confirm their production processes.

Scientific Names in Cosmetics, Hair Dyes & Perfumes

Many cosmetic products, hair dyes, perfumes, and personal care items use scientific names for allergens. These can be harder to spot, so here are some common ones to watch for:

Tree Nuts (in cosmetics):

Amygdalus dulcis or Prunus amygdalus (Almond)
Anacardium occidentale (Cashew)
Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut)
Corylus avellana or Corylus maxima (Hazelnut)
Juglans regia (Walnut)
Macadamia integrifolia or Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia)
Pistacia vera (Pistachio)
Carya illinoinensis (Pecan)

Peanuts:

Arachis hypogaea (Peanut oil, peanut extract)

Sesame:

Sesamum indicum (Sesame oil, sesame seed extract)

Soy:

Glycine soja or Glycine max (Soybean oil, soy lecithin)

Wheat/Gluten:

Triticum vulgare or Triticum aestivum (Wheat)
Hordeum vulgare (Barley)
Secale cereale (Rye)
Avena sativa (Oats)

Milk:

Lac (Milk protein, lactose)
Casein or Caseinate (Milk protein derivatives)
Whey (Milk protein)

Egg:

Ovum or Ovalbumin (Egg protein)
Lecithin (if not specified as soy, may be egg-derived)
Lysozyme (Egg-derived enzyme)
Livetin (Egg yolk protein)

Fish (in cosmetics):

Collagen or Marine Collagen (Often from fish)
Omega-3 or Fish Oil (Common in skincare)
Gelatin or Isinglass (May be fish-derived)
Fish Scale Extract (Used in some cosmetics)
Cod Liver Oil (Common in skincare products)
Salmon DNA or Salmon Sperm DNA (Used in some anti-ageing products)
Caviar Extract (Sturgeon roe - luxury skincare)

Crustaceans (in cosmetics):

Chitin or Chitosan (Derived from crustacean shells - crabs, shrimp, lobster)
Carotenoids from crustaceans (Astaxanthin from shrimp/krill)
Krill Oil (Omega-3 source)
Crustacea (General term for crustacean-derived ingredients)

Molluscs (in cosmetics):

Pearl Extract or Pearl Powder (Oyster-derived)
Mother of Pearl (Nacre from oysters/mussels)
Abalone Extract (Haliotis species)
Snail Secretion or Snail Mucin (Helix aspersa, common in Korean skincare)
Mollusca (General term for mollusc-derived ingredients)

Celery:

Apium graveolens (Celery seed oil, celery extract)

Mustard:

Brassica nigra (Black mustard)
Brassica juncea (Brown mustard)
Sinapis alba (White mustard)
Armoracia rusticana (Horseradish - related to mustard)

Lupin:

Lupinus albus (White lupin)
Lupinus angustifolius (Blue lupin)
Lupinus luteus (Yellow lupin)

Sulphites:

E220 (Sulphur dioxide)
E221 (Sodium sulphite)
E222 (Sodium hydrogen sulphite)
E223 (Sodium metabisulphite)
E224 (Potassium metabisulphite)
E225 (Potassium sulphite)
E226 (Calcium sulphite)
E227 (Calcium hydrogen sulphite)
E228 (Potassium hydrogen sulphite)

Remember: Always check the full ingredients list on cosmetic products. Allergens can be present in fragrances, oils, extracts, protein derivatives, and even in unexpected forms like chitin (from crustacean shells) or pearl powder (from molluscs). When in doubt, contact the manufacturer or avoid the product.

When to Contact Manufacturers

Sometimes the label isn't clear enough. Here's when it's worth reaching out:

The ingredients list is unclear or uses technical terms
There's a "may contain" warning but you want to know their actual risk management
The product claims to be "nut-free" but you want confirmation
You've had a reaction to a product and need to report it
The packaging has changed and you want to verify safety

Tip: Most manufacturers have allergen information on their websites or customer service lines. Keep a note of products you've verified as safe for future reference.

Important: This tool and information are for guidance only. Always read product labels yourself and, when in doubt, contact the manufacturer or avoid the product. Ingredient formulations can change, so always check labels even on products you've used before.