11/12/08 The FSA Board will recommend to Ministers that Government advice on avoiding peanuts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early life, where there is a family history of allergy, is revised in light of new evidence.

This follows a review of published scientific evidence on exposure to peanuts in early life and the development of peanut allergy, by the independent Committee on Toxicity (COT). The COT's previous recommendations are no longer supported by the current evidence.

The current advice

The Government currently advises that, where there is a family history (either side of the family) of allergy, mothers may wish to avoid eating peanuts during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and not introduce peanuts into their child’s diet until the age of three. A child would be at higher risk if someone in their immediate family has an allergic condition, for example hay fever, asthma, eczema or a food allergy.

Previously, there were concerns that children could develop a peanut allergy, as a result of their mother eating peanuts during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. When COT last reviewed this subject there was some evidence to support this concern and this was the basis of the precautionary advice issued in 1998.

The new evidence

The new review considered by the COT does not suggest that this current advice is harmful. However, the FSA Board has agreed that the balance of evidence now available does not support continuing to follow this current advice.

The Board will now write to Ministers to recommend that the current Government advice is updated to reflect this review. In the meantime, for high-risk groups there is no need for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have children aged under three to change their diets. Where there is a family history of allergy, parents might want to discuss their individual case with their GP or health professional if they are concerned.

Government advice for all mothers is that they should exclusively breastfeed for around the first six months of an infant's life and not introduce any solids until after this age.

More information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weaning your baby can be found at the links below.