Peanut Test Clears 35% of Infants

A study of 778 infants found that a third had no reaction to an oral peanut challenge and had suspected allergy labels removed.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Allergies

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Would you trust a doctor's peanut allergy diagnosis for your child without further testing?

Researchers tested 778 infants with suspected peanut allergies using a controlled oral food challenge, and 35 per cent showed no reaction, allowing their allergy labels to be removed. The study was published on 4 November 2026 and stemmed from the ADAPT Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Program.

Why it matters

The results suggest oral testing may be considered in more cases than previously, which could reduce unnecessary allergy labels for children in Australia. Because 12 per cent of infants had an anaphylactic reaction requiring treatment, the tests still need to be carried out in controlled settings.

Of 778 infants tested with an oral food challenge, 35 per cent showed no reaction, while 12 per cent had an anaphylactic reaction requiring medical treatment from nearby staff. The reason some infants lose their initial peanut sensitivity remains unknown.

The players

National Allergy Centre of Excellence

The national body that launched the ADAPT Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Program in 2024 to improve tolerance in children with suspected peanut allergies.

Murdoch Children's Research Institute

The Melbourne-based research institute that hosts the ADAPT Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Program.

The details

The ADAPT Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Program, launched in 2024 by the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and hosted at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, used a controlled oral food challenge to test infants previously classified as allergic to peanuts. Arthur Cameron, who reacted with hives and facial redness to peanut butter at around five months of age, had his label removed after passing the test.

2024: The ADAPT Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Program was launched.
Around five months of age: Arthur Cameron reacted to peanut butter.
4 November 2026: Study results were published.

Big Picture

The findings extend the work of the ADAPT Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Program, which was launched in 2024 to refine how peanut allergy is diagnosed and managed in young children. The 35 per cent who passed the oral challenge suggest the program's testing approach may identify tolerance that earlier diagnoses missed.

Parents of infants with suspected peanut allergies may be able to ask their doctor whether an oral food challenge is appropriate. Any such test should only be done under medical supervision because of the risk of anaphylaxis.

The takeaway

Parents should discuss any suspected peanut allergy with a doctor before attempting a home test, as some infants who react initially may tolerate peanuts under supervised testing. Labels should only be changed after clinical assessment.