Scientific Study

Advances in food allergy diagnosis, management, prevention and therapeutic interventions have been significant over the past two decades. Evidence based national and international guidelines have streamlined food allergy diagnosis and management, while paradigm shifting work in primary prevention of peanut allergy has resulted in significant modifications in the approach to early food introduction in infants and toddlers. Innovative investigation of food allergy epidemiology, systems biology, impact, and management has provided important insights. While active therapeutic approaches to food allergy presently remain experimental, progress toward licensed therapies has been substantial. Mechanistic understanding of the immunologic processes underlying food allergy and immunotherapy will inform the future design of therapeutic approaches targeting the food allergic response. Global strategies to mitigate the substantial medical, economic, and psychosocial burden of food allergy in affected individuals and families will require engagement of stakeholders across multiple sectors in research, healthcare, public health, government, educational institutions and industry. However, the relationship between the well-informed allergy care provider and the patient and family remains fundamental for optimizing the care of the patient with food allergy.