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OUR MISSION

Help babies have healthier futures, free from the limits of food allergies

Evidence-based research, USDA guidelines and leading allergists all agree – introducing small amounts of allergens early and often is the best way to help a child have a greater chance at a future of food freedom.
Egg, milk and peanut together against a purple square
Orange elbow macaroni shape
Baby with eczema rash on face

2017

Abe, Andy’s son, develops multiple life-threatening food allergies. Daniel and Andy (brothers-in-law) discuss the idea of Ready. Set. Food! on vacation. Andy, a board-certified doctor in both Anesthesiology and Pain Management, and Daniel, a serial entrepreneur, saw an opportunity to help all parents have access to a safe and easy way to introduce their babies to allergens.

“Our children are our inspiration. My son's struggle with food allergies motivated us to help other families with early introduction.”

~ Co-Founder Dr. Andrew Leitner
Co-Founder Dr. Andy Leitner with family
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2018

Daniel and Andy team up with Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan, a board-certified pediatric and adult allergist and immunologist, to help make this idea a reality. After lots of trial and error, Stage 1 and Stage 2 Mix-Ins are born! A patent application is filed. The first employees are hired and the ecommerce site is open for business!  

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“Early and sustained introduction is hard to do on your own. We knew there had to be a better way.”

~ Chief Allergist Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan

Portrait of Doctor Katie Marks-Cogan
RSF! Founders appearing on Shark Tank TV show

2020

Daniel, Andy and Katie appear on Shark Tank! Mark Cuban, the father of a child with multiple nut allergies, is moved by the mission and invests.
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2021

The Ready. Set. Food! family of products expands with 2 new additions: Stage 3 Mix-Ins and Organic Baby Oatmeal, the first-of-its-kind baby cereal with 9 top allergens already inside. 

“When I learned we could help hundreds of thousands of babies have a healthier future, I knew we had to start a business to make it happen.“

~ Co-Founder and CEO Daniel Zakowski
Founder Daniel Zakowski and family
RSF! Founders shown in a photo still from the Shark Tank holiday broadcast

2022

Ready. Set. Food! expands into retail for the first time, making early allergen introduction products available on shelves nationwide. And we’re back on TV - Shark Tank features Ready. Set. Food! in a special holiday-themed update segment.
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Powered by Parents

Inspired by their experiences introducing allergens to their own babies, our founders came together to create Ready. Set. Food! Today, we are proud that over half of our team are parents, and their experiences and perspectives help drive everything we do. We've had 5 Ready. Set. Food! babies born to the team so far, and counting!

Group photo of RSF! staff and founder

driven by data

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Our patented Mix-Ins were developed by allergists to match the design of clinical trials. But it doesn’t stop there. Today, we have an in-house Science Team that stays on top of the latest research in the field, leads our own research, and consults regularly with pediatricians and allergists. We learn from our Science Team every day. 

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The Work Continues

2023

The product family expands again with the addition of allergen-inclusive snacks: Organic Puffs and Organic Oat & Fruit Bars. 

2024

Another Ready. Set. Food! R&D baby is born: Organic Purées hit the market.
Today, 1 in 13 children develops a food allergy. Our work continues to help all babies have a healthier future, free from the limits of food allergies.

Medical Advisory Board

We’ve cultivated a Medical Advisory Board of leading pediatricians and allergists who help guide our thinking to make sure our products are science-backed, safe and effective.