Could food hold the key to preventing food allergies in children? | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Health
Life, But Better
Fitness
Food
Sleep
Mindfulness
Relationships
Life, But Better Fitness Food Sleep Mindfulness Relationships
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Life, But Better
Fitness
Food
Sleep
Mindfulness
Relationships

Follow CNN
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Subscribe
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Advertise With Us
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Vital Signs
Vital Signs
Ad Feedback
Health

Could food hold the key to preventing food allergies in children?

Published 5:21 AM EDT, Thu April 7, 2016
Link Copied!
Scientists at Kings College London have tested ways to prevent food allergies using food. The idea is that exposure enables a child's immune system to recognize and tolerate the allergens.
Scientists at Kings College London have tested ways to prevent food allergies using food. The idea is that exposure enables a child's immune system to recognize and tolerate the allergens.
John Moore/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Infants were exposed early to six common food allergens-- peanuts, eggs, milk, fish, wheat and sesame -- from 3 months of age and a 20 percent reduction was seen, which although beneficial was not significant.
Infants were exposed early to six common food allergens-- peanuts, eggs, milk, fish, wheat and sesame -- from 3 months of age and a 20 percent reduction was seen, which although beneficial was not significant.
Jupiterimages
Dozens of foods can cause allergic reactions. Milk is one of the most common allergenic foods.<strong> </strong>Under U.S. law, foods containing a major food allergen must have labels that identify these ingredients.
Dozens of foods can cause allergic reactions. Milk is one of the most common allergenic foods. Under U.S. law, foods containing a major food allergen must have labels that identify these ingredients.
Photo Illustration/Shutterstock
Allergic reactions include hives, rashes, itching, vomiting and swelling, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Eggs (pictured) along with peanuts and milk are among the three most common allergens.
Allergic reactions include hives, rashes, itching, vomiting and swelling, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Eggs (pictured) along with peanuts and milk are among the three most common allergens.
Abdullah Pope/AFP/Getty Images/File
Many people are also allergic to fish. There is currently no cure for food allergies. People with food allergies and sensitivities should carefully read labels.
Many people are also allergic to fish. There is currently no cure for food allergies. People with food allergies and sensitivities should carefully read labels.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Shellfish such as crab, lobster and shrimp are among the major food allergens. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act only identifies eight allergens, but more than 160 foods are known to cause allergies or sensitivities, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fda.gov%2FFood%2FGuidanceRegulation%2FGuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation%2FAllergens%2Fucm106890.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">according to the FDA</a>.
Shellfish such as crab, lobster and shrimp are among the major food allergens. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act only identifies eight allergens, but more than 160 foods are known to cause allergies or sensitivities, according to the FDA.
Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
Sesame, unbeknownst to many, is also a common food allergen and can trigger responses, including anaphylaxis.
Sesame, unbeknownst to many, is also a common food allergen and can trigger responses, including anaphylaxis.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Tree nuts such as almonds, pictured, walnuts and pecans are a frequent source of allergic reactions. Even a trace amount can be dangerous to some individuals.
Tree nuts such as almonds, pictured, walnuts and pecans are a frequent source of allergic reactions. Even a trace amount can be dangerous to some individuals.
Miguel Palacios/Cover/Getty Images
Wheat is another top food allergen. It is an ingredient found in many foods, including breads, cereals, flours and even some beverages.
Wheat is another top food allergen. It is an ingredient found in many foods, including breads, cereals, flours and even some beverages.
Miguel Villagran/Getty Images
Soybean allergies are particularly common in babies and children. Many children outgrow their sensitivity, but the allergy can continue into adulthood.
Soybean allergies are particularly common in babies and children. Many children outgrow their sensitivity, but the allergy can continue into adulthood.
Miguel Villagran/Getty Images/File

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Subscribe
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Advertise With Us
    • Work for CNN

Health
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Advertise With Us Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts Sitemap

© 2026 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.