A good friend recently reached out to me and asked me a very important question.
Is it safe to eat at Chick-Fil-A if you or your child has a peanut allergy?
In our world of peanut allergy education, we have been told by the world’s leading allergist, Dr. Robert Wood, of Johns Hopkins Childrens Medical Center, to avoid peanut oil at all costs.
If your child has a peanut allergy, it is not safe to eat Chick-Fil-A and it does not matter that they use “highly refined peanut oil.” Using any peanut oil is a risk for your child and a risk that, in my opinion, is just not worth taking.
Peanut oil manufacturing can be misleading.
The “safety” of peanut oil depends on how the oil is extracted from the actual peanut. Extraction can be done in two ways, a chemical extraction or an expeller (or “cold-pressed”) extraction method. A chemical extraction method is just how it sounds. Peanut oil is extracted, using chemicals and high-temperature distillation at extremely high temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
The expeller extraction method uses mechanical methods with an expeller device (device used for squeezing), at temperatures ranging from 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The expeller method is often referred to as “cold-pressed” not because the process is actually cold, but because it happens using lower heat than the high heat required for the chemical process.
At the end of both extractions, you end up with peanut oil. The oil then goes through several other processes that “clean” the oil and condition it for color and for optimal shelf life in stores and restaurants.
There have been several studies that have analyzed and compared the protein content of peanut oil that is extracted and purified chemically versus the expeller or “cold-pressed” method. When you look at all of the studies available collectively, they have indicated conflicting results.
Some state that chemically extracted oils (highly refined) have negligible protein content (quantities so small that they can be ignored) and are not associated with reactions when consumed by people with peanut allergies and that expeller or “cold-pressed” oils do contain the peanut protein and CAN lead to allergic reactions.
Still, other studies (Olszewski et al., 1998) acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), found that all refined peanut oil contained trace proteins that were the same as those found in crude peanut oil that could cause an allergic reaction. The summary discusses that the levels of peanut protein varied due to differences in both the refining processes at different plants and locations AND the detection method that was used by the plants to screen their product afterward.
I wish that I could tell you that all of this information means that its safe to run and eat at restaurants that use highly refined peanut oils. Unfortunately, the only thing that these studies did was teach us that we can not trust “highly refined” peanut oil to be safe. We can only count on it being inconsistent. And when foods are inconsistent, they are a potential danger for our allergy children.
The food industry is not black and white. There is a LOT of variability in food manufacturing plants, their operating procedures and labeling. Currently, there are no laws in place requiring that every, single batch of peanut oil be tested by anyone certified to make sure that “highly refined peanut oil” is actually highly refined and free of peanut proteins.
The best decision you can make for your child is to choose a restaurant that does not use any kind of peanut oil or product. They are out there! If you can’t find them, message me! For more information on this topic, please refer to the sources listed below and consult with your family’s allergist.
Happy, Healthy Eating!
Sources
Fraser, H. (2011) The Peanut Allergy Epidemic What’s Causing It and How to Stop It. New York: Skyhorse Publishing.
Young, M. (2006) The Peanut Allergy Answer Book, Second Edition. Massachusetts: Fair Winds Press.
Our family allergist, Dr. Robert Wood, Johns Hopkins Children’s Medical Center.
Whitney says
This post does not give all the info about Chick-Fil-A. Chick-fil-a now has grilled nuggets which are grilled on a separate grill away from any peanut oil. They also have waffle fries that are cooked in canola oil. They added these items so that those will allergies to wheat and peanut could enjoy food at their restaurant as well! Chick-Fil-A is the only fast food restaurant where my son can have an entire meal. He is allergic to peanut, soy, dairy, pork, beef, and several other foods. If it were not for Chick-Fil-A, my son would not know what it was like to get a “treat” while we are out.
chewchewmama says
Hi Whitney!
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this post with added thoughts and information. I love open and kind communication! I can see that this topic is as important to you as it is to our family. We also safe guard a son with a peanut allergy. It is awesome that you’ve had a great experience with your local Chick-Fil-A. Some families trust that their local fast food chain is going to offer consistent safe handling. As you seem to be aware, as long as there is peanut oil present, there is always a risk for cross contamination. We don’t believe it is worth the risk for our family and neither does our allergist, but we respect the right for others to make informed decisions for their families. I’ve listed the sources on the blog for further reading. You are right, I did not list safe alternatives due to the risk of cross contamination. Thank you so much for posting! I love all comments.
Gratefulfoodie says
Excellent post! I was previously confused regarding the process of creating peanut oil. I thought cold press was really cold. Keep up the awesome work!
Rachael says
This may sound stupid, but what does it mean if an allergy kid does eat at Chick-fil-A and is fine? Does it mean his allergy is not as bad or does it mean that he’s just been lucky? Our allergist actually told us it was ok, and so we have allowed him to eat there.
chewchewmama says
Rachael, thank you for posting! The danger is that all allergists have different comfort levels on this topic. Our allergist is one of the leading allergy researchers in the world with a severe peanut allergy himself (Dr. Robert Wood) and he told us not to take the chance. The information in the article is accurate and current. There is no governing body that monitors every batch of peanut oil and there have been personal accounts of children having reactions to Chick-fil-a. I can’t give you medical advice on this topic, so I would recommend that you re-visit the conversation with your allergist and maybe get a second opinion from another (one that is a leader in the field). As for us, we will never ever eat there…just not worth the risk. I hope this helps?!
Andrew says
I am an adult with a severe peanut allergy. I am so sensitive to peanuts that I break out in hives from just the smell of them, and typically my throat begins to swell after prolonged exposure. Needless to say I have never been one to frequent establishments which traditionally include nuts in the food – thai, chinese, vietnamese…etc. I was SHOCKED to discover that Chic Fil A cooks many of their items in refined peanut oil. Throughout college while I was living in South Carolina I ate at Chic Fil A almost religiously . At least 3 times a week I enjoyed their fried sandwiches, nuggets, and tenders. Not once have I ever had anything close to an allergic reaction. Its right on the package and I never even noticed! A few years back I had one of my many trips to the ER with an allergic reaction because I ate a salad with an oil (peanut oil) and vinegar dressing so I know for sure I am equally as sensitive to peanut oil as I am any other form – if not more sensitive since the oil is highly concentrated. Although I have not conducted of any specific research into the topic I must say from my experiences that it seems there must be some truth to the idea that “highly refined” peanut oil is rid of the active ingredient that triggers an allergic reaction – for me atleast. And thank goodness because I LOVE Chic Fil A and HATE hospitals!
Eden says
It’s going to be end of mine day, except before end I
am reading this great paragraph to improve my know-how.
Ginger Adams says
My husband and I adopted 3 children, 2 of whom are allergic to peanuts. One, the boy, I had tested when we got him at age 5 as it was obvious he had a lot of allergies to include all nuts. Then a year later we took in a 19 month old and 3 year old. A church member gave the youngest a Reese’s PB cup to which she only took one bite (does not like chocolate) when she was 2 1/2. She broke out in a rash. Took her the following week for limited testing (pricking) which did not pick up however was sent for blood work which did. Allergist said they could have Chick-fil-a, however I was always hesitant until a couple nights ago. My daughter who is 4 1/2 said our former sitter took her to Chick-fil-a (must have been biscuit). I am starting to regret now. The following morning her face had like a rash on it. I wrote it off at the time and sent her to Pre-K only to get a call she had a slight fever. This was a Friday. Her rash got worse on Saturday night and she started scratching her legs. She has maintained the slight fever which I have kept under control with Advil. Told husband I would take her to Walgreen’s Take Care Clinic when it opens today (Sunday). It has been bothering me all night, questioning the 1 chicken nugget that she ate from the happy meal. She has been very congested as well. I know the weather is changing now (March 9, Atlanta area), and has been going up and down causing a lot of allergy problems(me being one affected), however I am so concerned about the peanut oil from Chick-fil-a. Our son is having problems as well (was told his is moderate allergen but would get worse). Can you provide me fast food as well as chain restaurants which you know are okay. My husband and I do not have peanut or nut allergies in family and so this is so new to us. This month the boy has been with us 4 years and our girls 3 years. I am getting so concerned with everything that we buy and eat. This has been a learning process for us. Only this past October (due to Halloween), I learned that I have to be concerned about candies manufactured in same facility as nuts. I had to tell my husband that we have to read the labels on all processed foods. Any help you can provide or advise would be greatly appreciated.
Ariel White says
My brother who is 15 years old now has a severe nut allergy. But we eat chic fil a every other week and he orders the chicken deluxe burger with bacon, he has never had an allergic reaction to it. Nor the fries. There are plenty of other moms that have written about how their children had no reaction to chic fil a. I don’t understand why the big fuss.
peter podlas says
Yes – i have a peanut allergy – I ordered the 3 piece chicken fingers – when I bite anything with peanuts I IMMEDIATELY get a reaction in my mouth as the first indication —letting me know I have a problem – however I had no problems and no reaction….I ate all three – delicious – will go back and try again.
Carla n says
If FDA does not require the restaurant to put peanut allergen statement on their peanut oiled products, then studies, scientific, have determined the oil to be safe. My son is severe, can’t even attend a fair in the south due to airborne and peanuts everywhere but he has eaten from Chick-fil-A for the past 8 years with no incident. There will always be disagreement on this subject and differences of opinion, however, bottom line is safety of the child.
coleen Baran says
Is there any articles or documentation on the following… Can a person who has an allergy to peanut oil have an airborne allergic reaction if they come in contact with several people who have eaten chick fil in another area of the building?
Chew Chew Mama says
None that I have found, Coleen. This would greatly depend on the severity of the allergy. Also, peanut oil is very controversial in our allergy community. Some families are able to tolerate and trust the manufacturing processing. We did not think it was worth the risk and neither did our world renown allergist. Allergies are hard to navigate because each child’s threshold is so different. Thank you for posting!