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Guide

How should I label mixed nut toppings?

Name the nuts that are actually in the mix — almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and so on — and emphasise each as tree nuts (or peanuts if present). Do not write only “nuts” if UK rules expect the specific names in the ingredients list.

Reviewed against official guidance.SourcesNot legal advice.

The short answer

Name the nuts that are actually in the mix — almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and so on — and emphasise each as tree nuts (or peanuts if present). Do not write only “nuts” if UK rules expect the specific names in the ingredients list.

Emphasise Annex II allergens inside the ingredients list — bold, capitals, colour or underline — as set out in FSA allergen labelling guidance.

How to apply it

Name the nuts that are actually in the mix — almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and so on — and emphasise each as tree nuts (or peanuts if present). Do not write only “nuts” if UK rules expect the specific names in the ingredients list. Emphasise Annex II allergens inside the ingredients list — bold, capitals, colour or underline — as set out in FSA allergen labelling guidance. Walk the product in front of you against the checklist below before you print. The mistake to refuse is: Customers allergic to one tree nut need specifics.

  • List each nut present
  • Emphasise each occurrence
  • Peanuts are separate from tree nuts
  • Watch bakery mixes that change by batch

Worked example

Worked example for “How should I label mixed nut toppings?”: take one real SKU you sell this week. Apply the first check — list each nut present. Then contrast it with emphasise each occurrence. Write the name of the food and the full ingredients list from today’s recipe and supplier specs, emphasise every Annex II allergen each time it appears, and only then print. If the pack in your hand does not match that list, it is not ready for sale. (Name the nuts that are actually in the mix — almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and so on — and emphasise each as tree nuts (or peanuts if present).)

Checklist before you print

CheckWhy it matters
List each nut presentFor “How should I label mixed nut toppings?”, “List each nut present” is the check that stops the pack drifting from what you actually sell.
Emphasise each occurrenceFor “How should I label mixed nut toppings?”, “Emphasise each occurrence” is the check that stops the pack drifting from what you actually sell.
Peanuts are separate from tree nutsFor “How should I label mixed nut toppings?”, “Peanuts are separate from tree nuts” is the check that stops the pack drifting from what you actually sell.
Watch bakery mixes that change by batchFor “How should I label mixed nut toppings?”, “Watch bakery mixes that change by batch” is the check that stops the pack drifting from what you actually sell.

Writing “nut mix” without names

Customers allergic to one tree nut need specifics.

Go deeper

Next: Tree nuts on labels. Which nuts are named. Then paste your ingredients into the free generator and confirm allergens before you print.

Questions

Are peanuts tree nuts?
No. Declare peanuts separately.
What about pine nuts?
Not a named UK tree nut — still list them as an ingredient.

Official sources

Everything on this page traces back to these. Where they and we disagree, they are right — tell us and we'll fix it.