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

Studies suggest the prevalence of peanut allergy has doubled in a decade among children in western countries. Photograph: Martin Lee/Alamy

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.