What is food allergy and what is a food allergen?
A food allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts unusually to specific foods. An allergen is any normally harmless substance that causes an allergic reaction in a susceptible person.
Food allergens are almost always proteins although other food ingredients, such as certain additives, can have allergenic (allergy-causing) properties.
In the past, parents were advised to delay introducing allergens to their children.
Guidance has now changed and parents are encouraged to introduce allergens early. We aren’t sure how many parents are aware of this change in guidance, if people are following the advice, or what kind of impact it has had on rates of allergy amongst children in the UK.