Learn how we’re advancing allergen awareness in foodservice through our Informed Dining pilot with Public Health Inspectors. Find out how you can participate in a research opportunity for children with tree nut allergy. Read about new research on peanut oral immunotherapy, and get an update on recent study findings about the VIASKIN® Peanut patch.
Advocacy in action: Advancing allergen awareness in foodservice
To kick off 2026, we expanded our Informed Dining pilot project with Middlesex-London Public Health in Ontario and Université Laval to enhance food allergy education within foodservice. This initiative enables Public Health Inspectors to raise awareness about food allergy during routine restaurant inspections by sharing our Think Food Allergy resources. This is now the second Ontario Public Health unit to participate in this pilot, following a fantastic year with Wellington-Dufferin-Public Health Unit championing this effort.
Through training by Food Allergy Canada on allergen management and communication, inspectors are now more equipped to guide food businesses in creating safer dining experiences. Throughout 2026, we plan to continue to engage more health units nationwide to implement similar initiatives.
We thank Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and Middlesex-London Public Health for leading this effort, making a meaningful impact on allergen awareness in local restaurants. We are excited for the future expansion of this initiative!
Research study: Call for participation for children with tree nut allergy
A research study is underway in Hamilton, Ontario. The researchers are seeking children aged 1-16 years who have been diagnosed with tree nut allergy, specifically to cashew, pistachio, walnut, pecan, almond, or hazelnut.
The study is testing different immunotherapies to desensitize a person with tree nut allergy by repeated exposures to very small amounts of tree nut through sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) or low-dose oral immunotherapy (IdOIT). SLIT is when a food allergen is placed under the tongue and OIT is when a food allergen is eaten.
Food Allergy Canada is involved in this research through a patient/caregiver partnership where we provide input on the design of the research, review research outcomes, and ensure the patient perspective is considered.
Read additional details about the study from the research team. To learn more about the study and if your child is eligible to participate, complete this form or email eia@mcmaster.ca.
Please share with others whose children have tree nut allergy.
Research: Low dose peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) may help protect kids with peanut allergy
A new study finds a significantly lower dose of peanut OIT may provide kids with similar protection from accidental exposure in comparison to standard treatment.
Peanut OIT increases the amount of peanut that can be eaten before experiencing an allergic reaction. With this treatment, children with peanut allergy eat a gradually increasing amount of peanut over time until they reach a “maintenance” dose that is eaten regularly, even after the treatment, to help keep up their protection against accidental exposure.
In the study, children with peanut allergy were assigned to one of three groups: low dose treatment (30 mg maintenance), standard-dose treatment (300 mg maintenance) or avoidance (no peanut OIT). Both peanut OIT treatment groups experienced significant increases in their threshold to peanuts, meaning they were able to tolerate a larger quantity of the allergen.
This study is the first of its kind to evaluate whether a much smaller dose of peanut OIT works compared to the standard dose. The findings show that a dose 10 times lower may still be effective—making treatment more accessible and helping to protect more children with peanut allergy.
Two members of our Healthcare Advisory Board were involved with this study: Dr. Julia Upton, co-first author and Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan, co-senior author. Read the press releases: The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Montreal Children’s Hospital.
We will keep you updated with food allergy treatment news, and continue working to ensure Canadians have accessibility to treatment options.
Research: Peanut patch study shows encouraging results
DBV Technologies has shared encouraging results from VITESSE, a clinical trial evaluating the VIASKIN® Peanut Patch for children with peanut allergy.
The study focused on children aged 4-7 and tested whether wearing the patch daily could help make them less sensitive to small, accidental amounts of peanut. After one year, nearly half of the children (46.6%) who used the patch were better able to tolerate peanut than before treatment. The most common side effects were mild skin reactions, such as redness or itching, where the patch was applied.
Based on these results, DBV is continuing the process needed to move this treatment forward for regulatory review and plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. FDA in the first half of this year.
We will continue to follow the latest in food allergy treatments and keep you updated on developments, along with advocating on your behalf to have options for Canadians.
Mythbuster: Highlights from 2025
Read below for the top mythbusters shared in previous years, topics include milk allergy, testing and diagnosis, and allergic reactions.
Help us educate your communities and share this mythbuster with them! Find more mythbusters at foodallergycanada.ca/mythbusters.
Tags: foodservice, mythbuster, TRADE study, VITESSE Study