Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies and, in the majority of individuals, it begins early in life and persists throughout life.

children has at least doubled from 1997 to 2008. The FDA’s intent to exercise enforcement discretion for the use of the qualified health claim means that the agency does not intend to object to its use as long as the products bearing the claim are consistent with the factors FDA stated in the Letter of Enforcement Discretion.Įpidemiological evidence suggests that the prevalence of peanut allergy in U.S. As such, they are accompanied by qualifying language or a disclaimer so that the level of scientific evidence supporting the claim is accurately communicated. Qualified health claims are supported by credible scientific evidence, but do not meet the more rigorous “significant scientific agreement” standard required for an authorized health claim. Qualified health claims are not the same as “authorized health claims,” which must be supported by significant scientific agreement among experts in the field. The qualified health claim was in response to a petition filed by Assured Bites, Inc. If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infant’s healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts. FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study. The claim, which manufacturers can use immediately, reads: For most infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. Food and Drug Administration has determined that it intends to exercise enforcement discretion for the use of a qualified health claim for infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy characterizing the relationship between the consumption of foods containing ground peanuts beginning between 4 and 10 months of age and a reduced risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. After conducting a systematic review of the available scientific evidence, the U.S.

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