Is Peanut Oil Safe for Allergic People?

My daughter, Wendy, and I were talking recently about peanut oil.  It brought up a conversation about cooking with peanut oil and whether people with peanut allergies can digest it.   As a home cook, you should always be aware of food allergies when preparing meals for others.

I decided to see for myself how safe it is since many restaurants use peanut oil.  It turns out that several studies have been done on the subject.  I was surprised to find that many allergic people can safely eat foods that contain or are cooked in peanut oil.

If you suspect a peanut allergy, however, you should always check with your doctor to see if the oil affects you.  As far as cooking for others is concerned, if there is the slightest possibility for harm, announce what you have used for cooking. 

As long as the oil is not labeled extruded, cold-pressed, expelled or gourmet peanut oil, it may be safe.   These could contain the proteins from peanuts that cause the allergic reaction.  The version of the oil used in restaurants and found in your local supermarket is refined; a process that extracts those proteins.
 

Cooks like peanut oil because they can cook foods at a high temperature without smoking, so it is great for frying.  Also, it is known as a "good or healthy" fat because it is a monounsaturated fat which falls into a category of fats that can lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol.  It makes some snacks relatively healthy.  Some companies, like Utz and  Dirty brand, fry their potato chips in peanut oil.

You can use this light tasting oil in stir-fried dishes.  Peanut oil is very versatile and is used in lots of Asian and African restaurants.  You can even use it in desserts such as fudge or fried peach pie.