Early Peanut Introduction to Infants: Disparities Among Low-Income and Minority Families

Introducing peanut-containing foods to infants at an early age significantly lowers the risk of developing peanut allergies later in childhood. Despite this well-established benefit, many parents, particularly those from Black, Hispanic, and lower-income communities, are not receiving adequate guidance from their pediatricians about when and how to introduce peanuts. A comprehensive 2021 study by Northwestern Medicine surveyed over 3,000 U.S. parents of children aged 7 to 42 months and revealed notable disparities: only 42% of Black, 36% of Hispanic, and 35% of Asian American parents had introduced peanuts by age one, compared to 51% of white parents. Furthermore, only about half of Black and Hispanic parents reported receiving advice from their child's healthcare provider on peanut introduction, compared to nearly two-thirds of white parents. These gaps are alarming given that children from minority and low-income backgrounds tend to have higher rates and more severe cases of food allergies.

Experts emphasize that current guidelines, established since 2017, recommend offering peanut-containing foods around 4 to 6 months of age—based on evidence from clinical trials demonstrating over 80% risk reduction for peanut allergies. Yet, many parents are unaware or hesitant, often due to inconsistent communication from healthcare providers. The disparity highlights the critical need for culturally and linguistically tailored educational resources, as well as policy measures such as inclusion of peanut products in food assistance programs like WIC. Improving awareness and access within underserved communities could help bridge the gap, ultimately reducing the burden of food allergies among vulnerable populations.

As noted by Dr. Christopher Warren, these inequities persist despite the safety and effectiveness of early peanut feeding, underscoring the importance of targeted outreach and support. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations must work together to ensure all families receive proper guidance, so that every child has the best chance to avoid life-threatening allergies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-babies-peanuts-early-income-minority.html