# AI tells a user that refined peanut oil is safe for someone with a peanut allergy because the protein is removed during refining

- **ID:** `food-safety/peanut-allergy-cross-contact-oil`
- **Domain:** food-safety
- **Category:** health_risk
- **Error Code:** `ALL-202`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

While highly refined peanut oil (RBD) is generally considered safe by FDA and FARE due to protein removal, cold-pressed or gourmet peanut oils can contain sufficient peanut protein to trigger anaphylaxis; AI fails to distinguish oil types or warn about cross-contact in restaurants.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| FARE Guidelines 2023 | active | — | — |
| FDA Food Allergen Labeling 2022 | active | — | — |
| CDC Food Allergy Data 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Always ask the restaurant or manufacturer whether the peanut oil is 'highly refined' (RBD) or 'cold-pressed' / 'gourmet'. If unsure, avoid. Example: `Call the restaurant: 'Is your peanut oil highly refined RBD or cold-pressed? Do you use the same fryer for peanut-containing foods?'`** (85% success)
   ```
   Always ask the restaurant or manufacturer whether the peanut oil is 'highly refined' (RBD) or 'cold-pressed' / 'gourmet'. If unsure, avoid. Example: `Call the restaurant: 'Is your peanut oil highly refined RBD or cold-pressed? Do you use the same fryer for peanut-containing foods?'`
   ```
2. **Carry two epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen) and avoid any food fried in peanut oil if the restaurant cannot confirm the oil type and fryer separation** (95% success)
   ```
   Carry two epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen) and avoid any food fried in peanut oil if the restaurant cannot confirm the oil type and fryer separation
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Check the label for 'peanut oil' and avoid it entirely** — Many restaurant fried foods use peanut oil; even if the oil is refined, cross-contact from shared fryers with peanut-containing foods is common (60% fail)
- **Use a home test kit for peanut protein in oil** — Home test kits are not validated for oil matrices and may give false negatives due to dilution or denaturation (90% fail)