Fried turkey - peanut allergies

[vettechick99]

I was wondering if my peanut-allergic DD could have fried turkey (typically fried in peanut oil). She can eat at places like Chick-fil-A that use highly-refined peanut oil and she's fine. So I'm wondering -- is the kind of peanut oil I would get at a store highly-refined? I can't seem to find anything conclusive on google...

 

[Deb in IA]

I don't know, but if I were you, I wouldn't accept any invitations to dinner at FireDancer's house . . .

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't know, but if I were you, I wouldn't accept any invitations to dinner at FireDancer's house . . .

I would call her allergist as opposed to using the internet.

 

[Briarmom]

I'd hate to risk it. Is there any way you can ask her doc? I didn't know people who were allergic to peanuts could eat at Chic-fil-a. In fact, I thought it was shocking that they used peanut oil!

 

[dismom2]

My peanut-allergy dd can't eat things fried in peanut oil without a reaction. I probably wouldnt risk it. Better to be safe than sorry--you never know.

 

[Doe]

My daughters allergist strongly suggests avoiding peanut oil no matter how highly refined it is.

 

[NotUrsula]

The quality of the oil depends on the cook's preference, and the stuff is expensive, so most cooks tend to re-use it. The most common brand sold for turkey frying is Lou-Ana. It is refined, but how highly refined I can't say; you'd be best off asking them directly.

You don't have to use peanut oil; you just have to make sure that whatever oil you choose has a smoke point well above 350 fahrenheit, which is the normal cooking temp for turkey. Most refined vegetable oils can handle that, here's a chart:

http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/CollectedInfo/OilSmokePoints.htm

 

[Christine]

My son is PA and we have never done the fried turkey for that reason. He does it at Chick-Fil-A (we just started that) because I have been told that heat processed peanut oil which is what is mainly used in the US, is used there. The heat processing is so high that it destroys the proteins that cause the allergy. Depending on your sensitivity levels though is always a caveat.

And, you will never get any doctor to tell you it is okay to eat peanut oil of any type. Too much liability there if something goes wrong with a specific product.

 

[vettechick99]

She's always been able to eat peanut oil. You are right, Christine. He probably won't say it's ok, even though she's never had problems with it.

Thanks everyone!

 

[mlynn]

My dd5 has a peanut allergy and her allergest sadi she is fine with peanut oil.(I already knew this.)We have always had fried Turkey on thanksgiving.I buy the oil at BJ's. She was just diagnosed this year so for 4 years she has had it and also loves Chick fil a. With out a reaction.But this is my dd I don't know how bad your childs allergy is. So if your concerned you can use Canola oil to fry a turkey too.

 

[tchrrx]

Last year we used cottonseed oil. It gets a lot hotter a lot faster. Also, it is harder to control the temperature. However, if you keep an eye on it, it will work fine.

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

Our peanut-allergic son doesn't eat things fried in peanut oil, so when the family insists on frying a turkey, we use lard. Not the most appetizing alternative, I guess, but everyone seems to love the turkey (except me, I prefer an oven-roasted turkey--both the taste and the way the entire house smells so good while it is cooking. You don't get that with a fried turkey!)

 

[TeddyCan]

As per FDA highly refined peanut oil should not be considered as an allergen. People with peanut allergy can safely eat peanut oil. However, they must avoid cold-pressed, extruded or expelled peanut oil.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Welcome teddy

 

[lynxstch]

lol another Zombie thread by a brand new poster, welcome to the DIS..there must be no school today, as there's a sudden surge in new posters!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Interesting for an old thread, never heard of cottonseed oil.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Threads brought "back to life" by new posters are obviously ones that show up via google search. It's not really a mystery.

Googling "peanut allergy fried turkey" brings up this thread on the second page.