The Department of Health will be looking into new recommendations by food safety experts who have now said that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding no longer need to avoid peanuts.
Current recommendations (issued in 1998) advise that when there is a history of allergies on the mum's or dad's side it's best to avoid peanuts during pregnancy.
Now however, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) claims that recent studies have concluded there is no evidence of an increased allergy risk.
The FSA's committee on toxicity analysed the effects of peanuts on foetuses and in early life in connection with the development of allergies. The FSA says there is no need to continue with the recommendations that those with a family history of food allergies, eczema, hay fever or asthma should avoid peanuts.
The FSA said: 'The new evidence that has become available since 1998 reduces the suspicion that material consumption of peanut or peanut products during pregnancy might predispose infants to the development of peanut sensitisation and allergy. For high-risk groups there is no need for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have children under three to change their diets.'
Allergy UK have said that it would not alter its guidelines until there was a decision from the Government. Rosie Dodds of the National Childbirth Trust, told BBC News Online: 'Mothers should note this is only a recommendation to the government at this stage. However, it would be helpful to mothers who have a family history of allergic diseases not to have to restrict their diets unnecessarily.'
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