A generation ago, peanut butter sandwiches were a school lunchbox staple. Today? Not so much. Allergies to peanuts and other foods have risen sharply over the past few decades. According to one study, the rate of peanut allergies in kids in the United States more than tripled between 1997 and 2008.
But now, the tide is turning. A decade after experts issued new guidelines about when to introduce peanuts and other allergens to babies, a new study found that the rate of peanut allergies is heading downward.
“It’s an important finding, because it confirms that the guidelines are working,” says Amy A. Eapen, M.D., a pediatric allergist-immunologist and allergy researcher at Henry Ford Health. “But we need to make sure all parents and caregivers are aware of these recommendations.”
Introducing Allergens Early
After food allergies started increasing in the 1990s, experts started looking for solutions. Medical guidelines began recommending that babies should avoid eating peanuts, tree nuts (like almonds and walnuts) and other common allergens until their immune systems were more mature. Unfortunately, the recommendation backfired. “Peanut allergy rates increased around the globe,” Dr. Eapen says.
In 2015, researchers published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed feeding babies peanuts early in life could actually reduce their risk of developing peanut allergies. In response, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases updated their guidelines to recommend that caregivers introduce peanuts to babies as soon as they start eating solid foods.
Now, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics shows that change is making a real-world impact. “In the years following the publication of early introduction guidelines, the study found the incidence of peanut allergy decreased by 43%,” Dr. Eapen says.
What’s behind that trend? Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system views certain food proteins as threats. It overreacts, triggering symptoms like hives, swelling and anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal). Scientists now believe that by introducing common allergens early, the baby’s immune system can learn to tolerate them instead of gearing up for a fight.
“The immune system seems to be quite flexible in the first year of life,” Dr. Eapen says. “If a baby is already heading toward food allergies, we may be able to sway it by introducing the foods so their bodies can learn to tolerate them.”
Peanut Guidelines to Prevent Allergies
Based on the latest science, AAP guidelines recommend that babies start eating foods containing major allergens, including peanuts, eggs and tree nuts, between 4 and 6 months of age.
That recommendation holds for babies at risk of food allergies, such as those who have eczema. But it’s a good idea to discuss the risk with your pediatrician first. For kids with severe eczema or a greater risk of allergies, the doctor may suggest doing a blood test to evaluate risk before your baby tries foods that might trigger allergic reactions.
Preventing Other Common Allergies
A lot of food allergy research has focused on peanut allergies, which are very common in kids—and are often severe. But the early-introduction concept applies to other foods, too, Dr. Eapen says.
With guidance from your pediatrician, caregivers should consider early introduction of the major food allergens:
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- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.)
- Wheat
Food Allergy Trends
With food allergies on the decline, some parents are worried that it might be harder to protect kids who still have serious allergies. But Dr. Eapen is hopeful that won’t be the case. She’s encouraged by laws like the Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act, which was signed into law in 2026. The law requires school food service workers to be trained to prevent and respond to food allergies.
And the fact is, allergies aren’t going away. Some kids will still develop food allergies, even if they start eating those foods as infants. “We can reduce the risk of food allergies with early introduction, but this won’t completely solve the problem,” Dr. Eapen says. “Food allergy is still a big health problem in kids and adults.”
Fortunately, there is a lot more awareness now about the seriousness of food allergies, and the importance of protecting kids at risk. “Most of us know at least one person with food allergies,” Dr. Eapen adds. “I’m hopeful the latest research helps people embrace the idea of early introduction so we can continue to decrease allergy rates. But we still have a lot to learn, and in the meantime, we still need to take precautions to protect people with food allergies.”
Reviewed by Amy A. Eapen, M.D., a senior staff allergist who sees pediatric patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Medical Center – Columbus, Henry Ford Medical Center – Fairlane and Henry Ford Medical Center – Sterling Heights.
