1. Nestlé Health Science
  2. Health Management
  3. Paediatrics
  4. Food Allergy
There are 8 allergens that cause >95% of food allergy in Australia (milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish).

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts negatively to the proteins in a food that is usually harmless to people who do not have an allergy to that food.

For people with a food allergy, exposure to the protein in the food causes the immune system to see these proteins as foreign, and in an effort to protect itself, the body releases natural substances, such as histamines, which cause the allergic symptoms that your child might be experiencing. These symptoms can appear immediately i.e. within minutes of ingesting the food, or after several hours or days depending on the type of immune reaction.

Food allergy occurs in around 1 in 20 children and in about 2 in 100 adults1. There are 8 allergens that cause >95% of food allergy in Australia (milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish). The majority of food allergies in children are not severe, and may be 'outgrown' with time but some food allergies can be severe, causing life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis.

Of all the infant food allergies, cow’s milk protein allergy is one of the most common, particularly in Australia and New Zealand where around 2% of infants are allergic2. Nearly half of the children affected by cow’s milk protein allergy grow out of it at 1 year, 60-75% outgrow it at 2 years and 85-90% at 3 years3. Food allergies such as cow’s milk protein allergy can affect anyone, however those babies with a family history of allergy are at higher risk4.  If breastfed, the reaction is to the cow’s milk protein passed from the mother through the breastmilk, and if formula-fed, the reaction is to the milk protein in the formula.

It is important for infants with cow’s milk protein to not start a cow’s milk protein free diet without recommendation and guidance from a healthcare professional.  After parents, have spoken to their healthcare professional and removed cow’s milk from their infants diet (either through removing cow’s milk from the mother’s diet if breastfeeding or started on a specialised formula if the infant is formula fed), the baby’s symptoms should normally ease within 2-4 weeks3. 

1.ASCIA (2016) Food allergy, Retrieved 18th April 2016 from http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/food-allergy
2.ASCIA (2016) Cow’smilk (dairy) allergy. Retrieved 18th April 2016 from http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/cows-milk-dairy-allergy
3.Koletzko S et al. Diagnostic approach and management of cow's-milk protein allergy in infants and children: ESPGHAN GI Committee practical guidelines. J PediatrGastroenterol Nutr. 2012;55(2):221-9).
4.ASCIA (2016) Guidelines for allergy prevention in infants. Retrieved 18th April 2016 from http://www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/media/647-mar-14-2016-updated-infant-feeding-advice-and-guidelines-for-allergy-prevention-in-infants
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Explaining Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy & Specialised Formulas

ALFARÉ®, ALFAMINO®, ALFAMINO® Junior Mixing Instructions

FOR PARENTS: COULD IT BE COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY?

Eczema? Reflux? Constipation? Diarrhea? Crying? Do you suspect that your child has a food allergy?


Cow’s milk protein allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the first year of life.


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FOR HCP'S: COULD IT BE COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY?

Do you suspect that your patient has a food allergy?


Cow's Milk Protein Allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the first year of life.


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Calcium Calculator Tool

This calculator is designed to help determine if there is enough calcium in the diet of children diagnosed with CMPA. Use this easy tool to help ensure the daily calcium requirements are being met for your child.


Calculate your calcium intake...

Nutritional products for food allergy


BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR BABIES.


Nestlé Health Science has a range of paediatric products that can assist in maximising nutritional intake across a wide range of conditions including food allergies.

ALFARÉ® and ALFAMINO® are Infant Formula Products for Special Dietary Use. Products are not suitable for general use. ALFAMINO® Junior is a food for special medical purposes specifically formulated for children with severe allergy and/or food intolerances. Products must be used under medical supervision.


Breast milk is best for baby and provides ideal nutrition. Good maternal nutrition is important for preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Infant formula should be prepared and used exactly as directed or it could pose a health hazard. The preparation requirements and cost of providing infant formula until 12 months of age should be considered before making a decision to formula feed.


Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when their infants have cow’s milk protein allergy. If a decision to use an infant formula for special dietary use is taken, it must be used under medical supervision.

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