Almond allergy: As FDA recalls ice cream for nut allergy risk, what symptoms should you watch for

A recent ice cream recall in New York has put the spotlight on almond allergies. The Ice Cream Factory of Mount Vernon is recalling select lots of its Vanilla G.Nutt flavor after it was found to contain undeclared almonds.

According to the CDC, people with tree nut allergies who consume this product risk serious or life-threatening reactions.The ice cream was sold in Golden Krust retail stores in Mount Vernon and White Plains and Farm Country Supermarket in Queens through direct delivery. It came in pints, quarts, and half-gallons with expiration dates marked March 2027. While no illnesses have been reported so far, consumers are being asked to return the product for a full refund.Almonds are widely used across cuisines and food products. They can be found in baked goods, cereals, chocolates, flavored coffees, sauces, curries, liqueurs like amaretto, nut milks, spreads such as Nutella, and even salad dressings. Because almonds often appear as hidden ingredients, undeclared use in foods, like the recalled ice cream, poses serious risks.

What is an almond allergy?

An almond allergy is an immune system reaction to proteins in almonds, especially Pru du 6, a protein responsible for most severe reactions.

Almond allergies fall under the broader category of tree nut allergies, which account for 70–90 percent of reported food-related anaphylactic deaths. Unlike some childhood allergies, tree nut allergies are rarely outgrown.

Common symptoms

Reactions can vary from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms may include:Abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, or vomitingRash or hives

Itching in the mouth, throat, eyes, or skinDifficulty swallowingSwelling of the face, lips, or throatShortness of breathAnaphylaxisSymptoms can appear within minutes of eating almonds, but sometimes they are delayed for hours. Importantly, even people who only had mild reactions in the past may develop severe reactions later.