Study shows a 43 Percent Drop in Peanut Allergies Since Experts Issued Early Introduction Guidelines

It started with a simple question among top scientists: Could we reverse the prevalence of peanut allergy simply by introducing peanuts early? Spoiler alert: YES! And thanks to further studies, we're continuing to see the benefits this advice has had in reducing food allergies, namely peanut. 

Thanks to the new guidelines published in 2017 surrounding early peanut introduction stemming from the landmark LEAP Study trial that showed how feeding peanuts to babies could cut their chances of developing an allergy by over 80 percent, a new study, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, found that food allergy rates in children under 3 saw a 36 percent reduction in all food allergies, driven largely by a 43 percent drop in peanut allergies. How cool is that? 

While there was some concern among medical experts and parents alike whether introducing allergenic foods (i.e., peanut (safely)) could be adopted outside of tightly controlled clinical settings - our philosophy was that the best way to introduce someone to a food is with that food: and thus Puffworks baby was born. And if we have helped make early introduction to peanut (and now tree nut!) easier and safer - and delicious too - for even just some families, to us that's a win. 

"We used to think feeding common allergenic foods increased a child's chances of becoming allergic to that food," says Dr. Ron Sunog, pediatrician, author of Eat the Eight, and Medical Advisor to Puffworks - who was a strong advocate for why we launched Puffworks baby in 2017. "But this advice didn't prevent infants from developing a food allergy, and it actually appears to have increased the prevalence of them," continues Dr. Ron Sunog. "The reduction in food allergies since the experts reversed these guidelines is very promising! And while the LEAP study focused on peanut, there's no evidence to support delaying the introduction of all top allergens."  

The Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study transformed the guidance about when to introduce peanut foods to children, especially those at high risk for food allergies (infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy). Our mission to help reduce the prevalence of peanut allergy through our Puffworks baby organic puffs continues to be top-of-mind for our company. We are hopeful that we only continue to see food allergy rates in children plummet! 

Fast Facts:

• A landmark trial in 2015 found that feeding peanuts to babies could cut their chances of developing an allergy by over 80 percent.
• ~60,000 children have avoided developing peanut allergies after early introduction guidance first issued in 2015 recommended introducing the allergen to infants starting as early as 4 months.
• Peanut allergies in children ages 0 to 3 declined by more than 27% after guidance for high-risk kids was first issued in 2015 and by more than 40% after the recommendations were expanded in 2017.
• While all food allergies can be dangerous, 80 percent of people never outgrow a peanut allergy. 

Learn More:

Peanut Allergies Have Plummeted in Children, Study Shows

New Study Shows Peanut Allergies Are Declining in Kids—Here’s What Changed

Some 60,000 kids have avoided peanut allergies due to landmark 2015 advice, study finds