girl being fed with spoon

We use the latest approaches in epidemiology, immunology, paediatrics, nutrition, gastroenterology and biostatistics to investigate factors that cause, prevent and improve food allergies.

The Centre for Food and Allergy Research is a collaboration of experts in children’s food allergy and food-related immune disorders.

The Centre for Food and Allergy Research is a collaboration of experts in children’s food allergy and food-related immune disorders.

Why research food allergy?

The number of children with a food allergy or food-related immune disorder has soared in the last 10 years.

In fact, in 2011 the Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that 10 percent of 12-month-old infants have a clinically confirmed food allergy, one of the highest reported rates in the world.

Food allergies can be really uncomfortable and even life threatening.

While mild symptoms include hives and swelling, severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties (called anaphylaxis) can be life threatening. Food allergies also affect a person’s quality of life as they need to be really careful they don’t accidentally eat something that contains the food they’re allergic to.

Researchers don’t yet know why food allergies develop.

We know they run in families, but your family history or genetics is only part of the story. Non-genetic (or environmental) factors also play a part.

More information