Chick-Fil-A says refined peanut oil is 'safe'

Both my allergist and pediatrician say that Highly Refined peanut oil is safe for "most" people with peanut allergies. I am so super strict with what my child eats, but he had eaten at Chick Fila dozens of times before we found out he is allergic. So I still let him eat it, although we only go there occasionally now. I still worry he could have a reaction there - even though they both told me he probably won't.

I think it's better to be safe than sorry. I won't let my daughter eat anything that has any kind of peanuts or peanut oil or anything at all to do with peanuts in it or manufactured in the same facility with it. You just never know when they could have a reaction.

My favorite ignorant comment(or better yet the comment I hate the most) is when an adult tells my child to "just pick the nuts off" as if her allergy is that she just doesn't like peanuts. I am also very proud of my daughter when she is able to explain to an adult why she cannot eat the food item and what would happen to her if she did. Listening to a child speak of a severe allergic reaction is a very effective way to make a non-allergic individual understand the severity of her allergy.

I read the Chick-a-fila site about their use of peanut oil. Even though it is refined, I still won't let my daughter eat there. It just makes nervous to think she would eat anything "peanut".

My son, now 6, has severe peanut allergy. He tested positive for peanut oil as well. We ate at Chick Fil A frequently when he was younger, knowing he had a peanut allergy. One time we noticed his fingers red and swollen in the restaurant while eating chicken nuggets. I looked at the menu and saw the sign for the first time, "We use 100% refined peanut oil". We felt horrible because we had no idea. Benadryl took care of the reaction. He has since tested negative for peanut oil and loves Chick Fil A, with no reaction. (He is still severely allergic to peanuts) So in short, YES, refined peanut oil can cause a reaction, at least in my son it did. Hope this helps.

I have never heard of being tested for peanut oil, has anyone else had this done? It was my understanding that in peanut and peanut oil it is the protein that you would be allergic too. In highly refined peanut oil they refine, bleach and deodorize the oil which "supposedly" removes the protein. But it would still be the same protein, right? This is not to be confused with cold pressed peanut oil (that you find in the grocery stores). Am I misunderstanding this? - please let me know.

I have to admit that while we do eat Chik fila, if there was a sign that said peanut oil anywhere else I would definitely avoid it.

I've never heard of being tested for peanut oil, either. I believe it is the protein that people are allergic to.

There seems to be some doubt as to if peanut oil testing exists. My son was is a patient at, and was tested for peanut oil at the Colorado Asthma and Allergy Center in Littleton Colorado. www.coloradoallergy.com. Check it out.

Thanks for the link!

My understanding of the peanut oil issue was that the studies deeming it "safe" could not make any claims about people with severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. People with these reactions could not be included in any studies, as their lives might be in danger from participation. Thus, it seems a bit irresponsible for Chic-Fil-A to put forth any broad statement about the safety of peanut oil without clarifying the research results.

I have a severe peanut allergy (anaphylaxis) and I can eat Chic-Fil-A. However, everyone is different and I certainly don't recommend anyone take a chance to see whether or not one can tolerate the peanut oil.

Our allergist told us that refined oils used to be the norm, and most allergic people could have it. But the cold pressed oils are the ones you definitely want to avoid.

I would suggest asking the allergist to do a skin test using the refined oil, unless of course your child is severely allergic/anaphylactic to the peanuts. Then I would just say avoid it. No one has to eat Chick-Fil-A, right? I didn't realize they used refined peanut oil, but I have avoided them because everything is fried and in peanut oil.

I didn't realize anyone used refined peanut oil anyway.

I disagree about the oil. My husband reacts to peanut oils and flours,

I wrote this on another post but I will repeat it here. My daughter has severe eczema and PA. Her allergist recommended some oil that contains mostly refined peanut oil. She tested high for PA so I was nervous but her allergist assured me it would be okay. She has been using it over a year with no reactions and she has smooth skin now.

Even still, I do avoid giving her food cooked in peanut oil. :P

I think the thing that makes me the most confused is that the professionals argue about the reactions... My choice avoid... I don't want a second reaction and I know it is coming. I have been sooooo lucky to not have had a reaction after his first at nine months and he is turning three. I am super careful and others say I am plain pushy but he is severe and twenty minutes was losing airway after only being touched by very little amount... Maybe the parent of the child who reacted should bring action against them...

There's really no other way. Best strategy -- total avoidance. Our 15 yr. old PA daughter has had very little 'noticeable' reactions since we discovered her allergy when she was around 3 or 4 yrs old (my, how time flies!). And our policy has always been anything with an allergy statement is not consumable – no exceptions! (oh how she misses those Kit Kats). Yes there are gray areas, eating at restaurants etc...but there are very few places we feel comfortable with. Yes, it's frustrating, and disruptive, but certainly manageable, especially now that our society has become less ignorant about food allergies. Our daughter had a very high RAST test score last time, a few years back, but she is now in high school and pretty much just a 'normal' kid. I think once they get older, the 'routine' of checking labels, asking wait staff, etc. has become no big deal and less of an “embarrassment.” That's my encouragement to you, it does get better. So others think you're pushy? Again, unless one has a child with a peanut allergy, he/she doesn't fully understand the unpredictability of a food allergy reaction. It can be mild or severe, even life threatening. So keep pushing, your child's life is at stake!

my pa 13 mo dd ate at chick fil a a few times before we found out about her pa and never had a reaction. so after we found out, knowing that she had never had a reaction before, and armed with epipens, we have been several times recently with the same result--no reaction. she has a pretty high RAST score (21.6, a class 4 allergy) and so far seems immune to any problems with peanut oil. i wonder if people with higher RAST scores may be the ones who are allergic to oil as well. from all accounts that i've read, refined peanut oil contains little to no peanut protein, which is why it is tolerable for her. it may be irresponsible of chick fil a to make this statement, especially if people with pa are having reactions to their food.

Highly refined peanut oil should not present a risk. It appears that several people have eaten here without incident so I would not worry all that much about it. Given that you are worried and decided to put the word safe in quotation marks indicates that you would not fill comfortable eating there. If you are not comfortable there you will not enjoy your meal. I am not trying to be mean but your verbiage and use of quotes tells me that you do not believe the compiles website information. Good for you on doing your research and due diligence regarding then use of any sort of peanut products. It shows you really care. Please do what you think is best for you and your family and thank you for posting this information for the community.

Better yet...follow your allergist's advice.

I took my 8 yr old daughter, who has an allergy to peanuts and treenuts, to eat at a Chik-fil-a. She got hives on her lower jaw while she was eating her nuggets. It was the last time we ate there. I only recently found out they use Peanut Oil, so yes, a reaction can happen. Just depends on your kiddo i guess. Better safe than sorry, theres plenty of good places to get a bite ;)

There are plenty of other places to eat. As for me and my daughter, who is allergic to peanuts, we won't eat there. Why take the chance?