Food Allergy News and Research

"Our epinephrine auto-injector represents a proven, low-cost treatment for patients in the U.S. who require the use of epinephrine products."

The allergy community demanded a response, and we were heard. But there is more work to be done to make epinephrine affordable and accessible.

A new Illinois law allows school bus drivers and police to give epinephrine to students and others having severe allergic reactions. The law also expands access to epinephrine auto-injectors in public places.

“Peanut allergy can have an adverse impact on quality of life for the child and family. Severe allergic reactions can occur with just a tiny ingestion of peanut allergen. A new NIH study provides encouraging news that children may be successfully treated with OIT for peanut allergy at a very young age.” – Lynda Mitchell, chief operating officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America What health issue did the study examine? We currently have no effective means to cure or treat food...

In 2015, long-time friends and Kids With Food Allergies members Eleanor (Ellie) Chu and Dr. Karen Nanji met Lesley Solomon and Dr. Christine Olsen. Since teaming up, these women have proved that determined family members can play a huge role in food allergy research. They've raised $10 million and enlisted top researchers to launch the Food Allergy Science Initiative (FASI). Through FASI, researchers will work to answer key questions about the science of food allergy. The goal is to enable...

If you have a child with food allergies, how do you decide when they are ready to carry epinephrine and/or self-treat anaphylaxis?

Researchers looked at trends in anaphylaxis over ten years. They found a significant increase in anaphylaxis. They also found that more people were receiving epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis.

The FDA announced changes to the labeling for epinephrine auto-injectors to help patients and caregivers use the medication appropriately in the event of anaphylaxis (anna-fih-LACK-sis). Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. Epinephrine is always the first treatment for serious allergic reactions . For all epinephrine auto-injectors: Hold the patient's leg and keep the leg steady while you inject the epinephrine This will help prevent the needles from cutting the thigh or becoming...

In a huge victory for families with food allergies, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ruled that a theater program violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ said the program discriminated when it refused to accommodate a 10-year-old boy with severe peanut and tree nut allergies. The program refused to have either a staff member or volunteer available at all times to give epinephrine in case of emergency. The DOJ also ruled the Massachusetts program retaliated when it...

Early-Life Peanut Consumption Does Not Affect Duration of Breastfeeding or Children’s Growth and Nutrition

Have you read about changes to U.S. food manufacturing practices? Are you confused? In this post, we explain some of the changes and what it means if you have food allergies. What Are Good Manufacturing Practices? The U.S. has rules that establish “Good Manufacturing Practices” (GMP) for food manufacturers to follow. These practices help to lessen the risk of danger to the public. They require manufacturers to follow good food hygiene and handling methods. Most facilities that manufacture...

A family of a girl allergic to peanuts says a sandwich chain was negligent in making a grilled cheese sandwich, the Boston Globe reported Monday . The family sued Panera and a group of Panera franchises in New England. The little girl went to the hospital in the incident. A picture from the family shows a large dollop of peanut butter in the middle of the grilled cheese sandwich. Attorneys Mary Vargas and Laurel Francoeur filed the lawsuit last week in Massachusetts. According to the...