Food Allergy Prevention Project Launch

27 August 2018: 

Today the National Allergy Strategy Food Allergy Prevention Project was launched in WA as the main pilot region for the Project. The Food Allergy Prevention Project is the first in the world to promote feeding children the common allergy causing foods by one year of age, to help prevent food allergy developing.

While previous food allergy prevention strategies included delayed introduction of common food allergens and avoidance of foods in pregnancy, the Food Allergy Prevention Project widely promotes the introduction of common food allergens. This includes peanut, tree nuts, cow’s milk, egg, wheat, fish, shellfish, sesame and soy, in the first year of life. The new recommendations will not prevent all food allergies but will help prevent food allergy developing in the majority of babies.

Studies show that babies with eczema may also develop food allergy by exposure to the food through their skin. The “Nip Allergies in the Bub” website developed by the Project contains practical information for parents and carers about introducing solid foods and managing eczema for allergy prevention in the first year of life. The website also contains information and resources specifically for health professionals, including e-training courses.

Visit: www.preventallergies.org.au

Content updated 27 August 2018