Among the 20 or so proteins in peanuts that causes allergic reactions, the Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3 proteins are classified as important major allergens, causing allergies in more than 50 per cent of peanut allergic patients.

A recent study of peanut genetics identified another gene, called ara h 3-im, which seems to have a low allergenic potential, and the scientists say that this gene may be used to genetically modify a peanut variety with the allergen Ara h 3 replaced by the non-allergen Ara h 3-im, thus making it hypoallergenic.

All these are still hypothetical, though, and it would still take years, if not decades, of research, to come up with a truly hypoallergenic peanut. Being genetically modified, it will raise other concerns, for sure, but at least, I'd like to see it at this point as a step in combating peanut allergies.

See the feature report from NutraIngredients.