Allergen Starter Packs
As health and early years professionals working with families of infants, one of the important roles is guiding mums, dads and caregivers through the introduction of solid foods. A key aspect of this phase is the introduction of food allergens.
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) advises introducing common allergens around six months of age, alongside other solid foods. Research shows that this approach of early introduction of common allergens (typically around 6 months of age) may significantly reduce the risk of developing food allergies (ASCIA, 2020).
Common allergens are:
- Peanuts
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Fish and Shellfish
In recent times, allergen starter packs, pre-packaged powders containing small portions of the common allergens, have made their way to market. These allergen starter packs are marketed to parents to ‘simplify the process’ of introducing allergens to their children. However, there are numerous concerns and reasons why they are not necessary:
- Complicated and unnecessary: Allergen starter packs medicalise the process of introducing allergens with complicated regimes and protocols that are more complex and intimidating for mums, dads and carers than they need to be. There is no need to purchase specialised products to introduce allergens as they can safely and effectively be introduced by serving whole foods at home.
- Costs: Purchasing allergen starter packs can be quite expensive (often between $50-75). It is more cost-effective to introduce allergens using everyday foods found at the supermarket, many that are already being purchased for the household, such as peanut butter and other nut pastes, eggs, dairy, fish and soy.
- Lack of additional nutrients: When offering pre-packaged products in a processed powder form, such as allergen starter packs, infants might be missing out on nutrients that would otherwise be accessed through consuming whole foods.
- Limits learning opportunities: During mealtimes, babies should be exposed to foods of varying textures and colours as well as eating meals with the rest of the family. These learning opportunities are limited when using allergen starter packs.
- Promotes unhealthy bottle-feeding practices: Some brands recommend adding allergen starter powders to a baby’s bottle feed which contradicts bottle feeding guidelines.
Summary
Mums, dads and carers can introduce common allergens through regular whole foods, starting with small amounts and monitoring for reactions. Allergen starter packs add costs and additional, unnecessary complexity to introducing common allergens. Evidence shows that the key to reducing the risk of developing food allergies is with early (around 6 months), gradual exposure to allergens – which can be done safely without the need for expensive pre-packaged products.
Download the My Baby Now app here for more information on introducing solids and avoiding food allergies.
References:
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). (2020). ASCIA Guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention. https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/infant-feeding-and-allergy-prevention