Is Coconut an Allergen? FDA Allergen Labeling Requirements

The Food Allergen and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-282) requires major food allergens to be labeled on all packaged foods that are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including dietary supplements. Tree nuts are one of the major food allergens defined in the law. Is coconut an allergen? No, FDA does not consider coconut an allergen.

Is coconut an allergen?

No. FDA does not consider coconut a tree nut allergen under allergen labeling requirements. Coconut is not requried to be labeled as an allergen under the Food Allergen and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA).

Did FDA previously require coconut to be labeled as an allergen?

Yes. FDA formerly considered coconut to be a tree nut and requried it to be declared in allergen labeling.

When did FDA stop requiring coconut to be labeled as an allergen?

FDA released guidance in January 2025 that removed coconut from the list of what it considers to be tree nuts.

Where can I find additional examples of tree nut allergens?

Examples of other tree nuts that you must label include pecans, pistachios, walnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, cashews, almonds and more. Accordingly, these nuts must be declared in allergen labeling. FDA has published a list of other examples of tree nuts subject to allergen labeling here.

What are the major food allergens you must label?

Tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, milk, eggs, crustacean shellfish, fish, soy and sesame.

How does FDA require you to label allergens?

You must declare the food source of a major food allergen either in the ingredient statement or in a “Contains” statement directly below the ingredient statement. You must state the specific type of tree nut (e.g. cashew), species of fish (e.g. bass) and species of crustacean shellfish (e.g. lobster). For more information visit here.

Does FDA enforce allergen labeling requirements?

Yes, improper allergen labeling is one of the most common reasons for products being refused at the border. Therefore it is crucial to properly label allergens.

Where can I find more resources from FDA on allergen labeling?

You can find more allergen labeling resources from FDA here.