The wind is starting to blow a bit colder. The leaves have peaked in color and are now dancing around your yard waiting for you to break out the rakes. You’re working on reconfiguring your family favorite Thanksgiving recipes to accommodate the foods you need to avoid. It must be November.
That also means there’s a flurry of chatter about gratitude. From the blogs you read to the conversations around your table, someone is reminding us to be grateful for the big things and the little things. Sometimes it can be hard to find things to be grateful for when you’re reading labels and addressing unexpected exposures to allergens. And yet, this past year has given us much to consider and to say thank you for.
More Options
For a long time allergic individuals had one option when it came to administering epinephrine. Whether you had to measure out a dose or you carried an autoinjector, epinephrine meant a needle. In 2024, that changed. The FDA approved Neffy, a nasal spray for treatment of anaphylaxis. It hit the market shortly after approval, but the good news didn’t stop there. In March 2025, a lower dose version of Neffy was approved for pediatric use in patients over the age of 4 years.
Allergic individuals may have additional non-injectable options for epinephrine in the year ahead. The FDA is correctly reviewing a sublingual epinephrine (under the tongue dissolvable film) product with action on the application expected in early 2026. Even more exciting than the lack of a needle, these newer alternative delivery mechanisms may be more tolerant of heat and boast a longer shelf life than traditional autoinjectors.
Seeing Results
Ten years ago, the LEAP study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This landmark study was a randomized trial that looked at what might happen if we introduced peanuts to infants at risk for developing allergies earlier than was recommended at the time. The study suggested that early and regular consumption of peanut products could reduce the risk of developing life threatening allergies.
That study, and subsequent research that reached the same conclusion, changed the way we approach food introduction to young children. Delaying the introduction of peanuts and other top 9 allergens was no longer the standard practice. Ten years later, we see the results of this shift – since 2015, the rate of peanut allergies in children 0-3 has declined by about 27.2%. More on that here: Celebrating 10th Anniversary of Leap Study.
States Continue to Make Waves
Individual states often lead the way to legislative changes that impact the way we manage food allergies on a day-to-day basis. From stock epinephrine requirements in public spaces to new laws like California SB 68, these laws are exciting to see even when it’s not a state you’re living in because they give us hope that other states – including the one we’re in – could eventually follow suit.
This year, California passed Allergen Disclosures for Dining Experiences (ADDE, aka SB 68.) This first-in-nation legislation requires allergen disclosures on menus of chain food establishments with 20 or more locations. Written notifications of the top 9 major food allergens must be included on the menu (in print or digital format). It will make dining out easier for families managing food allergies.
Introducing a Biosimilar
Xolair, approved for use as a treatment for food allergies, is not a cure. It can, however, mitigate the risk of severe allergic reactions in some patients. (This video helps explain it: What Should I Know About Xolair for Food Allergies?) In 2025, the FDA approved Omlyclo as a biosimilar for Xolair. What does that mean for allergic patients? It depends. As this article in Allergic Living explains, “Biosimilars typically cost 15 to 35 percent less than their reference biologic. But the research is mixed on whether patients will see lower out-of-pocket costs.”
Allies
As amazing as the research, medical advancements, and legal updates have been, one thing we’re always most grateful for are the allies that come alongside us and say “I see you. I want to better understand and I want to help.”
Not everyone understands why we do the things we do to protect our food-allergic loved ones. Allergic families spend half their time managing allergies and the other half educating others about allergies. (Or at least it can feel that way!) There is someone, however, in your tribe that gets it. Hopefully there are a few of them.
These are the folks that always check labels and have something safe to offer your child at a playdate. It’s the parent that asks to be trained on how (and when) to use an autoinjector. It’s the family member that skips serving the traditional string bean and almond side dish because it’s just not safe for you. And those people? They are priceless!
