Food Allergy Prevention Through Regular Dietary Inclusion
The food and beverage industry is experiencing yet another fundamental shift. Recent clinical evidence from a long-term follow-up study demonstrated shocking insight regarding food allergens. Compelling research data has confirmed that regular dietary inclusion of certain allergenic foods—from infancy into adolescence—can dramatically reduce the risk of developing allergies to these foods.
Landmark research concerning peanut consumption from infancy through age five has shown to prevent up to 71-81% of peanut allergies. Emerging data from ongoing research suggests similar potential for other allergens including tree nuts, oat, and wheat proteins.
These findings are actively reshaping F&B guidelines, while simultaneously creating formulation opportunities for well-positioned ingredient suppliers and brands.
The question facing formulators is no longer whether to incorporate allergen proteins—it’s whether your brand will lead or follow.
Early Allergen Introduction, Lasting Food Allergy Protection
For over a decade, families followed medical advice to avoid allergens until age three as peanut allergy rates quadrupled. The 2015 Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) trial revealed that early introduction of peanut products reduced allergy development by up to 81%.
A decade after publication of the LEAP trial, a 2025 study in Pediatrics showed remarkable real-world impact. The 2025 study declared an estimated 60,000 children have avoided food allergies since 2015. Data from the study includes approximately 40,000 who specifically avoided peanut allergies.
Benefits extended well beyond early allergen introduction alone. The LEAP-Trio follow-up study tracked participants into adolescence, finding that early peanut consumption provided lasting tolerance. Even more compelling, data showed that tolerance is sustained regardless of subsequent consumption habits. Although children ages 6-12 who strictly avoided peanuts maintained lower allergy rates (4.4%) compared to those who routinely avoided (15.4%).
This confirms that early introduction establishes tolerance, however consistently including allergen-containing foods is optimal for maintaining long-term immunity.
Updated Allergen Guidelines Create Market Opportunity
Current pediatric guidelines now recommend introducing potentially allergenic foods when other complementary foods are introduced to an infant’s diet. Potentially allergenic foods include peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk products, egg, soy, wheat, fish and crustacean shellfish. Even for infant’s at high risk of developing a peanut allergy, introduction is recommended at 4-6 months of age.
Most notably for brands and formulators, products do not need to require high concentrations of allergens. Immunity is maintained through repeated exposure to small quantities, with format variations to support different age groups and feeding stages.
Despite compelling evidence and decisive clinical recommendations, adoption remains low. According to recent surveys, a mere 29% of pediatricians and 65% of allergists reported following expanded guidance issued in 2017. This implementation gap presents a significant opportunity for brands to transform clinical data into practical, innovative solutions that consumers want.
Why Pre-Market Safety Testing Matters
While peanuts have long dominated the food allergy conversation, tree nuts are equally important for early allergen introduction and inclusion. Tree nut allergies tend to be lifelong, with only ~10% of individuals outgrowing them—making prevention strategies incredibly valuable.
And while allergens are of the utmost concern, consumers are also increasingly vigilant about contaminants in their products. Contaminants like heavy metals and mycotoxins are particularly prevalent in plant protein sources, including almond, cashew and walnut protein. Lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic have the ability to accumulate in plant sources through soil absorption, environmental exposure, or post-harvest.
As mentioned in our last post, protein ingredients aren’t required to undergo FDA pre-market safety testing. Today’s consumers, however, expect rigorous testing protocols and full transparency across all products in their family’s diet. Not just dietary supplements and prescription drugs!
This is where sourcing, ingredient quality and reliable suppliers are distinct competitive advantages.
When formulating for sensitive applications like infant and children products, safety testing transcends regulatory compliance and serves as a true market differentiator.
New parents, in particular, are known to prioritize quality significantly more during the infant stage. Even amid rising economic pressure, a 2024 survey including over 2,000 US consumers revealed that 58% had shifted their purchases to lower-cost brands for at least one retail product, while only 8% of those purchasing infant products reported doing so.
But the importance of pre-market safety testing doesn’t stop at infant products.
When families are intentionally including allergenic foods as part of their regular diets, Organic, Non-GMO and minimally processed ingredients are preferred. Ingredient sourcing decisions directly impact consumer trust, creating significant opportunity for brands that combine clinical efficacy with clean label credentials.
Incorporating Allergen Proteins with the Right Supplier
Awareness of positive early allergen introduction is growing rapidly, igniting demand for products that support both initial stages and ongoing dietary inclusion.
Recognized food allergens have established safety profiles for consumption, meaning the path to innovation depends on formulation expertise and ingredient quality—not in regulatory uncertainty. Brands that establish early leadership with compelling, clean label innovations will capture market share ahead of saturation.
As a leading North American supplier of Certified Organic and Non GMO ingredients, Austrade offers single ingredient nut-based proteins (almond, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio and walnut) for allergenic product development.
Beyond tree nuts, Austrade also offers Oat Proteins (40%, 60%) and Organic Wheat Germ—enabling formulators to address multiple allergens and dietary needs across different products and life stages.
At Austrade, we’ve built our reputation on an unwavering commitment to premium quality.
Comprehensive Heavy Metal Testing – Every production lot undergoes analysis for heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. Our process involves Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS)—the gold standard analytical method for heavy metals detection.
Mycotoxin Testing – Each lot is rigorously tested for mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, which are toxic compounds produced by Aspergillus mold. Aflatoxins can impose serious health consequences including liver damage and increased cancer risk.
Premium Labels – Certified Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Certified Kosher, and Certified Gluten-Free (where applicable) provide the clean label declarations consumers recognize and trust.
Complete Documentation – Full Certificates of Analysis with safety test results to accompany every shipment. We provide full traceability for quality assurance and regulatory compliance teams.
Supply Chain Excellence – Our nut proteins are sourced from select European manufacturers who maintain GFSI-recognized certifications, rigorous food safety systems, and undergo regular third-party safety audits.
Technical Support – Our team is equipped to work alongside R&D managers and formulators to optimize ingredient selection tailored for specific applications.
In an industry where health and transparency are at the forefront—choosing the right ingredient supplier is the safest way to protect your brand’s reputation and avoid regulatory scrutiny.
Ready to position your brand at the forefront of nutrition innovation with evidence-based allergen strategies?
Contact Austrade to learn how Certified Organic & Non-GMO Nut Proteins, Oat Proteins and Organic Wheat Germ can differentiate your portfolio across infant, children’s and adult nutritional product lines.
Learn more about our rigorous safety testing protocols and discover why leading brands partner with Austrade for applications where quality and reliability matter most.