Education & Research

The science behind early allergen introduction.

Leading health organizations have updated their guidelines based on landmark clinical studies. The evidence is clear: early introduction works.

The Evidence

The research is clear

Landmark studies have shown that introducing allergens early significantly reduces the risk of developing food allergies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, NIH, and USDA Dietary Guidelines all now recommend early allergen introduction starting at 4–6 months.

80%

Reduction in peanut allergy risk (LEAP Study)

67%

Lower risk when allergens are introduced early and consistently (EAT Study)

79%

Reduction in egg allergy with gradual early exposure (PETIT Study)

0%

Increase in allergy risk with early introduction (EAT Study)

Landmark Clinical Trials

Medical guidelines recommend early allergen introduction for babies

Leading health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) have updated their guidelines for the early introduction of peanuts, and are in the process of developing new guidelines for egg and other allergenic foods.

1

LEAP Study

Learning Early About Peanut Allergy

Over 600 children between 4 and 11 months of age at high risk for peanut allergy were randomized to either consume or avoid peanut until age 5 in order to compare the incidence of peanut allergy between the two groups.

Starting at 4 months of age
4 year duration of exposure
6g peanut protein per week

Read the study

2

EAT Study

Enquiring About Tolerance

1,300 3-month-old babies that represented the general population (no risk factors) were randomized to either consume or avoid peanut, cooked egg, cow's milk, sesame, white fish, and wheat until age 3, in order to measure early introduction's effectiveness on various potential food allergens. Measurement occurred every 3 months.

Starting at 3 months of age
3 month duration of exposure
4g peanut, egg, milk protein per week

Read the study

3

PETIT Study

Prevention of Egg Allergy with Tiny Amount Intake

147 children between 4 and 5 months of age with atopic dermatitis (eczema) were randomized to either consume or avoid egg for 6 months, in order to determine if step-wise (low to high dose) early allergen introduction is an effective method of lowering the risk of food allergy development.

Starting at 4 months of age
6 month duration of exposure
50-250mg egg protein per week

Read the study

Guidelines

What the Experts Recommend

Leading medical organizations worldwide now recommend early allergen introduction.

01

USDA Dietary Guidelines: the key to preventing food allergies

Learn More

02

When is early allergen introduction the most effective?

Learn More

03

Newest guidance on preventing food allergies

Learn More

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