Recent CPS recommendations* to prevent food allergy include the following: No restriction of maternal diet is recommended during pregnancy or lactation (evidence II-2B) Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life (evidence II-2B) Choose a hydrolyzed cow’s milk–based formula, if necessary (evidence IB) Do not delay the introduction of any specific solid food beyond 6 months of age (evidence II-2B) More research is needed on the early introduction of specific foods to prevent allergy (evidence II-2B) Regular ingestion of newly introduced foods appears to be important for maintaining tolerance (eg, several times per week in non-choking forms). Routine skin or specific IgE blood testing before first ingestion is discouraged owing to high risk of false-positive results (evidence II-2B)

CPS—Canadian Paediatric Society, IgE—immunoglobulin E.

^*Levels of evidence reported in the recommendations have been described using the evaluation of evidence criteria outlined by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

Data from Chan et al.¹⁴