FDA Cautions People With Peanut Allergy To Avoid Ground Cumin

The US Food and Drug Administration cautions people with peanut allergy to avoid products containing cumin and ground cumin as some of the shipments of cumin products tested positive for undeclared peanut proteins. People who are allergic or hypersensitive to peanuts might develop life-threatening allergic reactions on consumption of such products.

Ground cumin is available in the form of a spice, as an ingredient in the spice mix or kit or used in the finished products like soups and chillies. All the finished products that contain cumin as an ingredient are likely to have low amount of peanut protein, but the products that are manufactured before 2014 are unlikely to have cumin with peanut traces, says the FDA.

Consumers with peanut hypersensitivity and people involved in preparing food for those who are allergic to peanuts should review and avoid the list of products announced by the FDA. They include ground cumin, seasoning mixes, cooking kits and most Indian dishes. The FDA recommends reviewing the ingredient list for products such as chillies and soups as it may contain minute traces of peanut proteins. Though it might not contain enough peanut protein to trigger allergic reactions, people who are highly sensitive should consider avoiding them.

People who are highly sensitive to peanuts might have to call the manufacturers to clarify if the product contains cumin in any form, in case if they find the ingredient panel doubtful in indicating the presence of cumin. People are advised by the FDA to discontinue food and seek medical assistance on realising the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as shortness of breath, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or hives. They are also recommended by the FDA to contact or visit their local consumer complaint coordinator in case of allergic reactions. The FDA is working on identifying the companies that had received the shipment of ground cumin with peanut traces and trying to remove them from the market.

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