FDA Removes Coconut from Tree Nut List
FDA Removes Coconut from Tree Nut List: What Food Manufacturers Need to Know About Allergen Labeling Changes
In early 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised its guidance on food allergen labeling, officially removing coconut from the list of tree nuts that require mandatory allergen disclosure under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). For food manufacturers, this change impacts product labeling, allergen compliance, and consumer communication.
Coconut Is No Longer a Tree Nut: FDA's 2025 Update
FALCPA originally designated eight major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy. Sesame joined in 2023 under the FASTER Act. In the FDA’s January 2025 update to its Food Allergen Labeling Guidance for Industry, coconut and 11 other previously recognized tree nuts including chestnuts, shea nuts and kola nuts, were removed. The FDA based this decision on scientific evidence showing that coconut is botanically a drupe, not a tree nut.
Previously, coconut was included in allergen labeling due to its structural similarity to other nuts and a precautionary approach to food allergy risk. Now, the FDA recognizes that coconut poses a lower risk and does not meet the threshold for mandatory labeling as a major food allergen.
What the Change Means for Labeling
While the regulatory burden is reduced, accuracy and clarity in ingredient labeling remain critical. Below are the key changes food manufacturers should implement as part of their allergen compliance strategy.
Allergen Statements
Under the updated rule, coconut is no longer considered a major allergen and does not require inclusion in allergen “Contains” statements on packaging. This marks a shift from prior FDA guidance, which grouped coconut with tree nuts due to its past classification.
However, manufacturers must still list coconut by its common or usual name in the ingredient panel, consistent with standard FDA labeling rules.
Example:
- Old format: Contains: Coconut (Tree Nut)
- New format: Coconut listed in the ingredients, but no “tree nut” allergen warning is required.
Ingredient Listing Still Required
All ingredients must still be clearly identified in the ingredient list. The removal of allergen status does not exempt coconut from declaration—all ingredients must still be listed in descending order of predominance, as per FDA labeling regulations.
What Food Manufacturers Should Do Now
Here’s a checklist for updating allergen labeling and food safety protocols after the FDA coconut tree nut update:
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Label Review | Remove coconut from “tree nut” allergen statements. Keep it listed in ingredients. |
| Packaging Updates | Verify that product labels reflect new FDA guidance on coconut allergen classification. |
| QA Program Adjustments | Update allergen control plans, sanitation procedures, and documentation systems. |
| Training | Ensure production and quality teams are informed of the change. |
| Supplier Verification | Confirm ingredient documentation aligns with current allergen classifications. |
| Consumer Messaging | Consider including voluntary “contains coconut” language if customers expect it. |
| Export Compliance | Check allergen labeling laws in Canada, EU, and other regions that may still classify coconut as a tree nut. |
Voluntary Labeling and Global Considerations
Although the FDA no longer requires coconut to be labeled as a tree nut, some food manufacturers may choose to continue voluntary coconut allergen labeling to support consumer clarity and confidence. This can be especially important for individuals with food allergies who are used to seeing coconut flagged, as well as for products marketed as “allergen-free” or “nut-free.” In facilities where coconut shares production lines or equipment with other allergens, voluntary labeling may also serve as a practical risk communication tool. Continuing to include such statements, even when not mandated, can help maintain consumer trust and minimize confusion as allergen regulations shift.
It’s also important to consider that food allergen regulations are not harmonized worldwide. While the United States has removed coconut from its list of major allergens, other countries may take a different approach. For instance, Canada may still classify coconut as a tree nut allergen, and although the European Union does not widely regulate coconut as a tree nut, individual member countries may have their own requirements. For companies selling products in multiple markets, allergen labeling should reflect the strictest applicable regulations to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of product recalls or consumer complaints.
RL Labs Approach
While the FDA no longer classifies coconut as a “tree nut” allergen under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), we continue to include coconut in both ingredient and allergen statements as a precaution. This decision reflects our commitment to transparency and safety, especially for individuals with sensitivity. We recognize that labeling standards may vary across companies and markets, but we’ve chosen to maintain coconut reporting for the time being, likely for several more years, until there is broader consensus across regulatory, retail, and manufacturing spaces.
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