New figures released by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) show that a worrying number of people who are allergic to animal-based products, such as egg, milk or fish, are unaware that foods labelled vegan or plant-based can still contain traces of ‘animal’ allergens, putting them at risk of an allergic reaction.

The World Allergy Organization and European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition both updated their guidelines for managing cow’s milk protein allergy in infants and children in 2022-2023. This paper in Global Pediatrics summarises the main points of these new guidelines and the debates around some of them.

A US study has found that only 2% of high-risk infants developed peanut allergy after introduction of peanuts into their diet. The results support other studies showing low rates of new allergies after early introduction of peanut but demonstrate the need for extra guidance, reassurance and support, especially if others in the family have a peanut allergy.

Do you have an allergy to either peanuts, seafood, or bee/wasp stings, that requires use of an EpiPen?  The University of Manchester is looking for a member of the public who can give a patient’s perspective of allergies to a group of master’s students who are studying the immune system.

2023 was a year of great progress in research, with new treatments, prevention strategies and improvements in diagnostic tests on the horizon. We look back at some of the highlights.

ALK have announced that it has completed the first part of its phase 1 clinical trial known as ALLIANCE for a new immunotherapy tablet for peanut allergy. The trial will now progress into its second part, expected to complete later in 2024.

Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, has halted its phase 3 study of the biologic drug ligelizumab for peanut allergy this January, but plans to launch a new study at a different dose. If approved, the study will begin in Autumn 2024.

Chair of the Anaphylaxis UK’s Clinical and Scientific Panel, Dr Helen Evans-Howells, covers a bonus episode of Talking General Practice, a podcast from GP online. She talks to editor Emma Bower about how GPs and other health professionals can manage infants with signs of cow’s milk allergy and offers her advice on how to support parents.

Anaphylaxis UK offer their condolences to the family and friends of James Atkinson who sadly passed away following anaphylaxis due to a peanut allergy in July 2020