It's a big job once you factor in continued exposure and getting it all done before the baby is one, Kylie admits. While Kylie relied on regular foods like peanut butter and cooked egg, some parents have turned to powdered allergen starter packs to simplify the process.

These kits promise an easy path, but experts caution they may offer comfort rather than real safety and, in some cases, could trigger allergic reactions.

How Early Should Allergens Be Introduced?

Guidance on allergen introduction has swung like a pendulum over the years. Between 1999 and 2007, parents were told to delay introducing allergenic foods until one to three years of age. By 2008, the advice flipped, urging parents not to delay, and since 2016, the mantra has been early and often.

This includes cow’s milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish, ideally introduced between four and six months.

The key is to introduce one food at a time so you can spot any reaction, says Mimi Tang, paediatric immunologist at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital. If a baby tolerates the food, it should be offered at least twice a week.


The Struggle of Busy Parents

Even with guidance, including nine allergenic foods regularly can be a juggling act. Kylie notes, Egg, dairy, and wheat are easy, but soy, shellfish, and tree nuts? We've been rubbish.

Two major studies, the LEAP and EAT trials, showed early introduction was both safe and effective. Yet, the EAT trial revealed only 42% of participants stuck to the plan, showing how tricky it is to maintain consistent exposure.

Are Starter Packs the Answer?

Allergen starter packs promise to simplify the task with pre-measured powdered allergens and instructions. The aim is to make introduction easier, Professor Tang says. But I’m not entirely convinced they achieve that goal.

One concern is protein content. The LEAP trial required 6 grams of peanut protein per week, while the EAT trial suggested 4 grams of allergenic protein weekly. In practice, parents averaged only 2 grams, a dose that helps, but not as much as the trials intended.

Starter packs vary in protein content, so parents may still need to calculate dosages. Some children may tolerate the powder but react to the actual food, giving a false sense of security.

Egg powders are another worry. ASCIA recommends well-cooked egg, as raw or lightly cooked powders are more likely to cause reactions. People are coming into the clinic with reactions to that powder, says Dr. Mahila Namasivayam, paediatric immunologist.

Regulation and Safety

In Australia, products can be regulated as food or medicine. The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) is assessing whether allergen kits are a therapeutic good or a food. Currently, they fall under the Food Standards Code (FSANZ), which allows general health claims but not claims about preventing serious diseases.

Kylie and experts alike emphasize that regular exposure matters most. There’s no point in using a starter pack if you can’t continue it, says Dr. Namasivayam.

While starter packs might seem like a shortcut, the real solution lies in maintaining a steady, diverse diet. Occasional exposure isn’t enough, consistent inclusion of allergenic foods is key not just to prevent allergies but to support healthy development.

At the end of the day, it’s not about quick fixes, Kylie reflects. It’s about building habits that stick.