Tomatillos are a fruit in the Solanaceae family of plants, which are also commonly called the Nightshades. Other plants in this family include tomatoes, potatoes and aubergine (eggplant). Tomatillos are also called Mexican Husk Tomatoes.

They are produced and eaten in North and South America, but aren't really grown in other parts of the world on a large scale. As such they haven't been extensively looked at in terms of their allergenicity.

The most common protein found in other Nightshade foods is Profilin. If you do suffer from an allergic reaction to tomatillos this is the most likely allergen.

Although the related tomato is a food high in histamine, fresh tomatillos are not as closely related as you would think based on the name, so are suitable for people following a low histamine diet. As with other canned foods the histamine level increases.

Tomatillos which have been pickled or preserved are also high in sulphites. Sulphites are inorganic salts used in preservations and have the potential to cause symptoms of food intolerance to those sensitive to sulphites, this food intolerance is more common in asthmatics. An improvement in symptoms can be made with a change to a low sulphite diet.

Tomatillos are a low FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Like tomatoes, tomatillos are a food high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

Tomatillos is one of the few fruits to contain a moderate amount of lectins, another cause of food intolerance. Cooking foods with lectins makes them more digestible and can reduce the symptoms of food intolerance.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Tomatillos are not currently linked to any allergic syndromes.

If you are allergic to tomatillos you may also be allergic to closely related Solanaceae plants like aubergine (eggplant), peppers and chillis, goji berries, potatoes and tomatoes.

Profilin proteins are found in almonds, apples, peppers, celery, chilli, coriander, grapes, kiwi, melon, mustard, peach, peanut, rice, soya, strawberries and tomatoes.

Note these food lists are not exhaustive, you can find the most up to date information on the Cross Reactivity Tool.

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