Give peanut foods to babies from four months to cut allergy risk, experts say

Researchers believe UK prevalence of peanut allergies could fall by 77% if eaten from four to six months of age

Peanut products such as puffed snacks and peanut butter should be given to children from four to six months of age to reduce the risk of them developing a peanut allergy, experts have said.

Studies suggest the prevalence of peanut allergy among children in western countries has doubled in a decade. About one in 50 children in the UK have the condition, with about 13,000 infants developing a peanut allergy each year. The condition can be life-threatening and create a constant worry for parents and children who have to avoid exposure.