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What "nut-free facility" really means

I ran a dedicated nut-free bakery for over a decade. Here's how to read the lines on a package, and which ones actually tell you about cross-contact.

Updated October 2026

Anatomy of a snack label

Sample Snack Bar

Net wt.6 bars, 5.1 oz

Ingredients: Whole grain oats, cane sugar, sunflower seed butter, rice flour, sunflower oil, honey, sea salt, natural flavor. 1

Contains: None of the top 9 allergens. 2

May contain traces of milk. 3

Made in a dedicated peanut and tree nut free facility. 4

  1. Ingredient list. Read it every time. Watch for nut ingredients that are easy to miss, like almond flour, pesto, praline, or marzipan.
  2. Contains statement. In the US, the major allergens must be declared, either here or in the ingredient list.
  3. Precautionary warning. Voluntary and unregulated. One brand's "may contain" can mean something very different from another's.
  4. Facility claim. The line that tells you about cross-contact. "Dedicated nut-free facility" is the strongest version.

What each line means

What the label saysWhat it tells youRequired by law?
"Contains: peanuts" or "Contains: almonds"The nut is an ingredient. Not safe.Yes, in the US the major allergens must be declared.
"May contain peanuts or tree nuts"The maker sees a cross-contact risk. Treat as unsafe unless your allergist says otherwise.No. It's voluntary.
"Made in a facility that also processes..."Nuts are in the building. Risk depends on their controls, which you can't see.No. It's voluntary.
"Peanut-free" or "nut-free" (front of pack)Usually describes the recipe. It may not tell you about the facility.No set legal definition.
"Made in a dedicated nut-free facility"Peanuts and tree nuts aren't supposed to enter the building at all. The strongest claim.No, but some brands back it with third-party certification.
No allergen statement at allYou don't know. Missing warnings don't mean no risk.Not applicable.

Why the facility matters

At my bakery, keeping nuts out wasn't one rule. It was every rule: checking supplier statements on each ingredient, controlling what came through the door, and never assuming last month's answer still held. A nut-free recipe made on a shared line can pick up traces from the run before it. A dedicated facility removes that source of risk.

Peanuts and tree nuts are different

Peanuts are legumes. Tree nuts include almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, and more. A "peanut-free" product can still contain tree nuts, and the reverse is also true. Many school nut-free policies cover both.

What about coconut?

The FDA updated its guidance in 2025 and no longer treats coconut as a major-allergen tree nut. Some people still react to coconut, so ask your allergist what's right for your child.

My label routine

  • Read the ingredient list and the "Contains" line.
  • Look for a precautionary statement below it.
  • Check for a facility claim. If there isn't one and it matters, contact the maker.
  • Re-read labels on products you buy all the time. Changes happen without notice.
  • Check seasonal and mini packs separately from full-size versions.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Your allergist knows your child's sensitivity and can tell you which precautionary labels are acceptable for your family.

Ready to shop? Start with the nut-free snack guide.