Avoiding food allergens in infancy may make food allergies more common

Food allergies are a growing health concern1 and up to 10% of the population now have a food allergy.² Evidence suggests that food allergies have likely increased in recent decades^1,2 and recommendations to avoid giving children common food allergens, like peanuts, egg or sesame in the first year of life may have contributed to this increase.^3-6

The latest research shows that early and regular dietary exposure to a food, specifically a food associated with allergies, may help reduce the risk of a child developing an allergy to that food. This has to do with how babies' and toddlers' immune systems learn about food. 70% of a baby's immune cells reside in the lining of their stomach and gastrointestinal tract.⁷

With our brand SpoonfulOne, we make it easy for parents to feed their babies the 16 most common food allergens early and often, to help train their baby’s immune system to accept food as food, rather than as an allergen, so they can enjoy a varied diet.

1. Prescott S, et al. A global survey of changing patterns in food allergy burden in children. World Allergy Organ J 2013  
2. Sicherer SH et al. Food Allergy: A review and update on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018  
3. Allen C, et al. Food allergy: Is strict avoidance the only answer? Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009  
4. Du Toit G, et al; LEAP Study Team. Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk of Peanut Allergy. N Engl J Med. 2015  
5. Perkin MR, et al; EAT Study Team. Randomized Trial of Introduction of Allergenic Foods in Breast-Fed Infants. N Engl J Med. 2016  
6. Roduit C, et al; PASTURE study group. Increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol.  
7. Vighi G, et al. Allergy and the gastrointestinal system. Clin Exp Immunol. 2008