Discover our advocacy efforts with government to improve food allergy prevention, management and care. Learn about a new study identifying key factors contributing to food allergy development in kids. Read about the latest food allergy research that was presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) last month. Find out how you can participate in a research opportunity for children with tree nut allergy. Plus, check out our mythbuster on fish allergy.
Advocacy in action: Parliamentarians explore new opportunities to advance food allergy prevention, care, and management
Advances in the understanding of food allergy are creating real opportunities to reduce the risk and prevalence of food allergy in Canada — and we are advocating for the federal government to take notice.
MP Ben Lobb, Dr. Harold Kim, Jennifer Gerdts, Senator Cardozo, Dr. Philippe Bégin, Senator Youance, Beatrice Povolo
After years of advocacy, a significant moment for food allergy policy in Canada took place last month, a roundtable at the Senate of Canada brought together parliamentarians, key bureaucrats, leading medical experts, and national advocates to explore how these advances are transforming prevention, treatment, and day-to-day management of food allergy.
Hosted by Senator Andrew Cardozo, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia and MP Ben Lobb, in collaboration with Food Allergy Canada, the discussion highlighted why these developments are increasingly relevant to federal leaders and policymakers. The focus: ensuring equitable access to prevention strategies, timely diagnosis, and appropriate care for all Canadians affected by food allergy.
Together with Dr. Harold Kim and members of our Healthcare Advisory Board – Dr. Edmond Chan and Dr. Philippe Bégin – we initiated a critical dialogue about the need for a National Framework on Food Allergy to help guide coordinated, consistent support for all Canadians impacted by food allergy. This framework has been endorsed by almost 50 different organizations nationally and globally.
This roundtable marks a positive and encouraging step forward, signalling growing government engagement and a shared commitment to advancing food allergy as a health priority. Collaboration across healthcare, policy, and patient communities will be essential as we work toward a safer, more supportive future for all Canadians managing food allergy.
“We are at a pivotal moment where we can seize the opportunity to reduce the incidence and risk of food allergy and improve quality of life for more than three million Canadians, while also easing pressure on our public healthcare system. Federal leadership is critical to turning this opportunity into action. This roundtable marks an important first step in aligning research, policy, and practice to drive measurable change.” — Jennifer Gerdts, Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada
“This roundtable reflects Parliament’s commitment to listen, learn, and collaborate. Food allergy is a public health issue that touches families in every region of the country, and it is our responsibility to ensure that emerging science, effective policies, and community voices all shape a stronger national approach.” — Senator Andrew Cardozo
Research: New study identifies what can increase or reduce the risk of food allergy in babies
A new systematic review at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario looked at 190 research studies from around the world to understand what influences food allergy development in children. They found that there is not one single cause, rather food allergy develops from a combination of genetic, environmental, microbial and social factors.
The research identified some early-life factors that can increase the risk of developing a food allergy:
- Delayed introduction of allergenic foods like peanuts or eggs
- Eczema in the first year of life
- Antibiotic use during the first month of life
Understanding these risk factors helps parents and healthcare providers know which babies may benefit most from early prevention strategies.
Encouragingly, recent research shows that food allergy rates have declined in families who follow early introduction practices. This study reinforces the importance of introducing allergenic foods early and keeping them in the diet – helping parents take steps to protect their children from developing food allergy.
Our Executive Director Jennifer Gerdts, one of the study co-authors, notes, “Early introduction and continued inclusion of allergenic foods – central to our ‘Eat Early. Eat Often.’ guidance – has shown promising results in reducing food allergy risk, but more needs to be learned about additional ways to prevent food allergy.”
Learn more about early introduction
Download our resource that features practical tips on how to introduce allergens to babies.
Early introduction sectionVisit our webpage to access webinars, resources, and videos on early introduction.
Research: Roundup from the AAAAI 2026 conference
Below is food allergy-related research that was presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) last month.
Misinformation and social media
Allergy misinformation often goes unchallenged in social media
Researchers found that allergy misinformation on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) receives high engagement and little correction, allowing it to perpetuate. These finding highlight the importance of having access to evidence-based information.
You can count on Food Allergy Canada to vet these postings and act as your credible source of information for the food allergy community. Please reach out to us anytime at info@foodallergycanada.ca if you are unsure about news you are reading.
Peanut allergy
Younger siblings of children who eat peanut experience increased risk of peanut allergy
Younger siblings of children who eat peanuts have an increased risk of peanut sensitization and allergy, however, this sensitization can be mitigated by early peanut introduction. The risk of peanut allergy was significantly reduced if the younger siblings were introduced to peanuts in their first year of life.
Learn more about early introduction and use our Eat Early. Eat Often. resource for practical tips and guidance on how to introduce allergens to babies.
Treatments involving omalizumab (Xolair®)
Omalizumab is as effective as multi-food OIT
Recent research shows that omalizumab, a medication given as an injection under the skin, is just as effective as multi-food oral immunotherapy (OIT) at helping people safely consume allergenic foods.
Image courtesy of xolair.com.
While OIT involves eating small, gradually increasing amounts of one or more food allergens under medical supervision, omalizumab works by modifying the immune system to reduce allergic reactions. For people with multiple food allergies, multi-food OIT treats two or more foods at the same time.
Omalizumab increases the thresholds for allergic reactions to common food allergens
Whether used alone or alongside OIT, omalizumab helps the immune system tolerate more of a food allergen before triggering a reaction. This research provides valuable insight into the effects of omalizumab on immune cells, providing specialists in allergy/immunology with additional ways to monitor patient outcomes.
Research study: Call for participation for children with tree nut allergy
A research study is underway in Hamilton, Ontario. The researchers are seeking children aged 1-16 years who have been diagnosed with tree nut allergy, specifically to cashew, pistachio, walnut, pecan, almond, or hazelnut.
The study is testing different immunotherapies to desensitize a person with tree nut allergy by repeated exposures to very small amounts of tree nut through sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) or low-dose oral immunotherapy (IdOIT). SLIT is when a food allergen is placed under the tongue and OIT is when a food allergen is eaten.
Food Allergy Canada is involved in this research through a patient/caregiver partnership where we provide input to ensure the patient perspective is considered.
Read additional details about the study from the research team. To learn more about the study and if your child is eligible to participate, complete this form or email eia@mcmaster.ca.
Please share with others whose children have tree nut allergy.
Research reminder: Higher risk of peanut- and unknown nut-related anaphylaxis during Easter
A past Canadian study finds a significant increase in cases of peanut and unknown nut anaphylaxis among children during Halloween and Easter. For this study, cases of anaphylaxis during six holidays (Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Eid al-Adha) were reviewed in comparison to other days of the year.
For peanut-related anaphylaxis, there was an 85% increase in average daily cases at Halloween and a 60% increase at Easter. For these two holidays, a 70% increase was noted for anaphylaxis caused by unknown nuts (instances when it was unclear if the trigger was peanut or tree nuts).
The study notes that the difference in anaphylaxis incidence may have been due to the social setting of the holiday. At Halloween and Easter, children often receive candies/treats from people who may not be aware of their food allergies, in contrast to Christmas celebrations among family and friends who are more vigilant about allergen exposure.
Another factor may be product labelling, as some “snack” size candies/treats do not provide a full ingredient list. This research points to the importance of anaphylaxis education and the need to follow safety practices like label reading.
To help you and your family ensure your Easter treats are safe, check out our label reading tips.
Mythbuster: If someone has a fish allergy, should they avoid all seafood?
FACT: Fish (e.g., trout, salmon), crustaceans (e.g., lobster, shrimp), and molluscs (e.g., scallops, clams) are sometimes collectively referred to as seafood. People allergic to one type of seafood may not be allergic to other kinds of seafood. For example, some people can eat lobster or clams but not fish. It is also possible to be allergic to some types of fish but not others. If you are allergic to one type of seafood, talk to your allergist before you consider eating other types.
