There were stories in several papers last week linking regular consumption of nuts by mothers during pregnancy with a higher risk of developing asthma in their children. This is another study in a fascinating and complex area where the evidence is still developing. I blogged in January about peanut allergy and the problems of giving advice to people when the evidence is incomplete.
The Committee on Toxicity started a review of the scientific evidence published, since that advice was issued, at its meeting last week and is expected to issue a statement by the end of the year. The COT review is looking primarily at exposure to, or avoidance of, peanut in pregnancy, while breastfeeding and during early childhood, and the subsequent development of food allergy or tolerance in the child. But studies looking at other allergy outcomes, such as asthma, could also provide useful information and this will be considered by the COT as part of their assessment.
In addition, the Agency is funding some very important studies in this area - looking at the possible mechanisms underlying the development of food allergy or tolerance in children fed peanuts or avoiding peanuts, and looking more generally at the early introduction of allergenic foods into the weaning diet and the later development of food allergy. The Agency is also funding a study on the influence of maternal, infant and childhood diet on respiratory health and asthma in childhood.