Training by a dietitian has been shown to successfully influence the food label reading habits of mothers whose children have food allergies, supporting one of the most effective ways to help prevent allergic reactions in children.
Conducted with 56 mothers whose children have IgE-mediated food allergy, a recent research study aimed to assess whether education could improve their ability to identify allergens and make safer food choices. The children, mostly under one year old, were predominantly allergic to eggs, with skin involvement being the most common symptom.
Before and after the training, mothers completed questionnaires at three-month intervals. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in several key areas: mothers were more likely to check food labels, prioritise allergen information, and focus on specific food groups such as dairy and eggs. Their awareness of label content, especially allergen warnings, markedly increased, indicating that the training had a meaningful impact on their purchasing decisions.
The study highlights the critical role of dietitian-led education in improving the capacity of caregivers to manage food allergies more effectively. By improving label literacy, such interventions can reduce accidental allergen exposure and enhance the safety and wellbeing of children with food allergies.
Reference: Celiksoy M.H., et al. Food label reading habits of mothers of children with IgE-mediated food allergy before and after training. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2025 Sep 1;53(5):126-134. DOI: 10.15586/aei.v53i5.1456.
