Peanut allergy has been in the news recently with the announcement by researchers at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge of a potential treatment for food allergy. Results from the first four patients in this trial showed a decrease in sensitivity in patients who were allergic to peanuts. The trial has allowed the participants to have more confidence that they won't have a severe allergic reaction if they eat food that accidentally contains small amounts of peanut. While not a cure, the desensitisation study gives hope to people who are allergic to peanuts. This is good news, but do note that this was a carefully controlled clinical trial, so, in the words of many a TV presenter, 'don't try this at home'.
At the Agency, we’re interested in what this work adds to helping consumers. We’ve been working over a number of years on a range of issues, including providing advice to businesses and consumers, and our most recent work to establish thresholds for labelling. This latest work will help to ensure that 'may contain' advisory warnings are used only where there is a real risk to consumers. This will help allergic consumers to have the information to make safe food choices.
Our current advice to people who are worried about peanut allergy is on our eatwell website. With the work at Addenbrooke's and our own work, I hope that one of these days, we’ll see a greater choice of food for allergic consumers.