Becky Gittins MP Calls for Baby and Infant Allergy Review
Baby’s first food
Why We Need a Review of Infant and Baby Allergy Guidance
At The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, we are proud that our Parliamentary Ambassador, Becky Gittins MP (Clwyd East), is leading the call in Parliament for a vital review of infant feeding and weaning guidance.
Food allergy affects millions of people in the UK.
The impact is not only life-changing for families but also places enormous pressure on the NHS, costing over £1 billion each year.
Becky Gittins MP for Clwyd East
What Becky’s Bill is Calling For
Becky presented her Ten Minute Rule Bill in Parliament, urging the Government to act.
Her Bill is calling for:
👉 Clearer, more consistent guidance for parents and carers on safe weaning and the introduction of allergens.
👉 Better training for primary care practitioners, so families can be supported earlier and more confidently, without unnecessary specialist referrals.
👉 More proactive prevention of allergies, recognising that early steps can dramatically reduce the risk of children developing food allergies.
Why Early Introduction Matters
Review of infant feeding and weaning allergy guidance
Current NHS guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, but also acknowledges that delaying the introduction of common allergens such as peanuts and eggs beyond 12 months may increase allergy risk.
Ground-breaking studies such as the LEAP study (2015) have shown that for infants at higher risk — particularly those with eczema or existing egg allergy — introducing peanut-containing foods as early as four months can reduce the likelihood of developing a peanut allergy by five times.
This evidence highlights why our allergy guidance needs urgent updating. Families deserve clear, consistent information that reflects the latest science, helping them feel confident about allergy prevention from the very start.
Becky’s Call to Action
Becky Gittins MP said:
“The number of children affected by food allergies has doubled since 2008 and it is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Public health advice around food allergy is based on a 10-year-old report – but this is a rapidly developing field. We must do better.
Evidence shows that introducing allergens earlier rather than later for children who are at risk can be dramatically beneficial. I want the Government to review the current guidance and work with medical practitioners and the allergy community to do all we can to prevent food allergies from materialising in young children.”
Clwyd East MP, Becky Gittins is Calling for a Review of Infant Feeding and Weaning Guidance with a Focus on Ensuring Children with a High Risk of Allergy are Better Supported.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE
Our View
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, supports the Ten Minute Rule Bill by Labour MP Becky Gittins. Becky is a parliamentary Ambassador for the Natasha’s Foundation.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, said:
“Parents need clear and consistent advice about how and when to wean and feed their infant, to reduce the chance of their baby developing food allergies. Currently there are different opinions about weaning, leaving many parents uncertain about what’s best for their child. Food allergies have a huge impact on the lives not just of those with the allergy, but their families too. What we really want is to prevent food allergies from developing in the first place, which is why it is particularly important that the right guidance is in place for those children that show signs of eczema or egg allergy in the first few months of life. Clear advice to parents on weaning and introducing allergens into the diet, based on scientific evidence, could help to achieve this goal.”
At The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, we believe early action, better support for families, and investment in prevention are essential if we are to turn the tide on the allergy crisis. Natasha’s Law showed how change is possible when government, science, and families come together. Now is the time for the same urgency to be applied to preventing food allergies in early life.