How Chick-fil-A’s Peanut Oil is Safe for Individuals with Peanut Allergies
For as long as I can remember, Chick-fil-A has been off limits to me. No nuggets, no deluxe sandwiches, no waffle fries, no mac & cheese, the list continues.
Chick-fil-A uses peanut oil to cook their cuisine; so, with my severe peanut allergy, their fried foods are untouchable and because cross contamination is inevitable, the entire restaurant requires my avoidance. Or so I thought.
The other day, while at a close family friend’s house, my mom immediately pulled me aside and said, “You have to hear this!” She was conversing with a newfound friend who has severe airborne peanut allergies and is always extremely careful with her foods, and she explained that her Chick-fil-A obsession was both real and harmless! When I expressed my immediate concern, she explained to me that her allergist told her there was a 0% chance she could have an allergic reaction to the peanut oil Chick-fil-A cooks with. Why? Because it is refined.
Refined peanut oil is processed in a manner that removes any proteins that cause allergic reactions via immune system malfunctions. Chick-fil-A likely uses this type of oil because of its high smoke point that allows for more convenient frying and cooking abilities. According to Chick-fil-A’s website, their peanut oil is “refined, bleached and deodorized,” thereby “stripp[ing] out” reaction-causing proteins. In fact, upon visiting their allergen information website, I found that Chick-fil-A does not even list peanuts as an allergen present in any of their meals.
While immediately dashing to a Chick-fil-A drive through might seem quite perfunctory, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually supports Chick-fil-A’s statements. In fact, the FDA’s Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act makes an exemption for highly refined oils, thereby removing them from the major allergen list even though their origin is a major allergen.
This means that even though peanuts are defined as a “major food allergen,” Chick-fil-A’s refined peanut oil is omitted from this category, serving as proof that the FDA suggests the consumption of this food is somewhat safe. Notice my use of “somewhat” in the previous sentence. Although, as my peer’s allergist and other FARE studies have suggested, the chances of an allergic reaction occurring from this oil is fairly rare because of the elimination of harmful proteins, it is still highly recommended that anyone with a peanut allergy speak with their allergist before indulging in a spicy chicken sandwich and french fries. (Although, I should note that many Chick-fil-A locations use canola oil for their Waffle Potato Fries, which is considered safe for those with peanut allergies without considering the prospect of cross contamination.) No matter the menu selection, if you or someone you know has a peanut allergy and now desires to race to their nearest location, I strongly advise you speak with a medical professional for their opinion in relation to the severity of the allergy and the safety of the cuisine.
However, this does not mean that all fast food chains that use peanut oil are safe for those with peanut allergies. Five Guys, for example, does not use REFINED peanut oil, meaning it is unsafe for those with allergies; to be completely honest, despite a lack of professional expertise, I would not recommend stepping foot in a Five Guys with a peanut allergy, as their waiting areas tend to be filled with the legume itself, sometimes eleven exposed.
The same goes for Jimmy Johns, who claims to use “100% peanut oil” for all of their chips, meaning the oil is not refined and their cuisine is unsafe for an individual with peanut allergies to consume. Chick-fil-A itself even warns against contamination with some tree nuts, meaning, again, it is always better to remain safe and speak with an allergist, particularly if you are like me and possess allergies to both peanuts and tree nuts.
For years, I have continued living and eating with my assumption that my peanut allergy expanded into everything relating tothe legume: the oil, the cross contaminated items, the “may contain items,” and I even grew to loathe the word itself. So, this discovery was eye opening for me. Because I have convinced myself for a lengthy duration of time that that the signature red chicken logo meant “DANGER” and “STAY AWAY,” I remain a bit hesitant about delving straight into a 5 ct nugget meal. However, I now realize that my nut allergy does not have to define me or the entirety of my diet. Even if it is not Chick-fil-A, I can still select restaurants that fit my allergy needs and allow myself to indulge in some delicious chicken nuggets (as long as I ask about the oil and bread crumbs, of course). I also now recognize that, although the cooking universe maintains a lot of peanuts and peanut ingredients, there are some locations that contain nut-allergy friendly cuisine and are attempting to make change by promoting well-rounded diets and yummy snacks within the nut-allergy community.
So, I am thankful for some progress as well as the fulfilling realization that I am much more than my allergies, and I hope these discoveries can aid others in finding this satisfaction as well.
