Nut Allergies
Pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers do not have to avoid peanuts, even if there is a family history of allergy, according to food safety experts.
Currently women in either of these situations are adviced where there are allergies on either the mother's or father's side, they should avoid peanuts in pregnancy.
But the Food Standards Agencies latest studies show no evidence of increased allergy risk in this group.
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.
The Department of Health said it would consider the FSA's recommendations.
The FSA's Committee on Toxicity looked at research into exposure to peanuts in the womb or in early life and the development of allergies which had been published since the existing advice was issued in 1998.
It said: "The new evidence that has become available since 1998 reduces the suspicion that maternal consumption of peanut or peanut products during pregnancy might predispose infants to the development of peanut sensitisation and allergy."
And it said there was no need to continue with the precautionary advice that those with a family history of food allergies, eczema, hay fever or asthma should avoid peanuts.
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.
Though the FSA did add the cautionary note that where there is a family history of allergy, parents may want to discuss their individual case with their GP or health professional if they are concerned.
The FSA will now write to ministers to advise official guidance should change.
The Department of Health spokesperson said they would await the FSA Board's formal advice before making a decision about revising current policy."
Allergy UK said it would not change its advice to callers until the department had carried out its consideration of the FSA recommendations.
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT), said: hat mothers should note this is only a recommendation to the government at this stage.
The revised advice follows a warning from a Harvard Medical School expert over nut allergy "hysteria", quoting the case of an incident in the US where a school bus was evacuated and decontaminated after a peanut was found on the floor.
Some research has suggested that early exposure could prevent allergies developing, because the body's immune system is "primed" to accept a substance.
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Do you have a child with a peanut allergy or is there a history of peanut allergies in your family? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.