Can You Eat M&M's With A Peanut Allergy?

Can you eat M&M’s with a peanut allergy?

In this article we are going to answer can you eat M&M’s with a peanut allergy, what are M&M’s, what is considered a peanut allergy, what are the symptoms of peanut allergy, and what are the most commons allergens found in M&M’s, and what candies can you eat if you have a peanut allergy.

Can you eat M&M’s with a peanut allergy?

No, you can’t eat M&M’s if you have a peanut allergy. All M&M’s packages have on their labels that even if peanut is part of the ingredients, they may contain peanuts because of cross-contamination.

All their facilities use peanuts in some products that contain peanuts so the risk is too high. Some people have reported never having symptoms by eating plain M&M’s but the risk is too high if you are sensitive to even small amounts of peanuts.

What is M&M’s?

M&M’s are multi-colored button-shaped chocolates consisting of a candy shell surrounding a filling of chocolate. Each of them has the letter M in lower case printed on them. The original flavor has a semi-sweet chocolate filling. There are other variations of the inside such as

Peanut butter

Peanuts

Almond

Pretzels

Dark chocolate

Caramel

Brownie

All flavors are surrounded by a candy shell and inside semi-sweet chocolate plus the flavor varieties.

M&M’s originated back in 1941 in the United States and are sold now in more than 100 countries all over the world. The idea of M&M’s and its candy shell surrounding came with the slogan melt in your mouth, not in your hand.

What is considered a peanut allergy?

Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies found, especially in young children. Peanuts are one of the 8 most common foods that contain allergens. There is no exact amount of peanuts that a person with a peanut allergy can eat. Even small amounts can cause anaphylaxis.

It is caused because the immune system identifies proteins found in peanuts as something harmful and it attacks your own body when even small amounts of peanuts are found in your body. There are 3 ways you can be in contact with peanuts

Direct contact: is when you eat something that contains peanuts. It can be just by direct contact with your skin.

Cross-contact: is when food is exposed to peanuts but not intentionally. For example, if you use a spoon with peanut butter and then use it to eat soup, that spoon may contain traces of peanuts that can cause an allergic reaction.

Inhalation: you inhale dust or aerosols that contain peanuts.

The diagnosis of peanut allergy is difficult because symptoms may vary from person to person and it might take some time for you to know that peanuts are making you feel bad. There are some tests such as skin tests and blood tests to help with diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of peanut allergy?

Symptoms of peanut allergy can occur even with small amounts. This is why it is very important to always double-check labels. The most common symptoms of peanut allergy include

Vomiting

Stomach cramps

Indigestion

Diarrhea

Wheezing

Swelling of face, mouth, and tongue

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing

Cough

Hoarse voice

Blue coloring skin

Hives

Dizziness and confusion

What is cross-contamination?

Cross-contamination is considered when there is an unintended contaminant such as allergens from one food to another. It can happen from food residues found on equipment and another food contact. This is why M&M’s should not be eaten if you are allergic to peanuts.

All their facilities work with peanuts and the risk of cross-contamination from one product to another is very high.

What are the most common allergens found in M&M’s?

According to the USDA, the most common 8 allergens are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. M&M’s lists in their allergy information that all their products contain milk, soy, and peanuts.

What candies can you eat if you have a peanut allergy?

Look for labels that do not contain peanuts as added ingredients and read the allergy information to prevent any symptoms and side effects. Follow this link for some candies that have been double-checked and do not contain allergens.

Other FAQs about Chocolate that you may be interested in.

What Is Pink Chocolate

Does dark chocolate contain dairy?

Can you eat Twix with spacers?

Conclusion

This article answered can you eat M&M’s with a peanut allergy, what are M&M’s, what is considered a peanut allergy, what are the symptoms of peanut allergy, what are the most commons allergens found in M&M’s, and what candies can you eat if you have a peanut allergy.