You may have seen a social media post claiming: “No More Epipens, No More Panic. Canada’s Peanut Allergy Vaccine Reprograms Immunity in Four Doses, Changing Millions of Lives.” That would be terrific news if it weren’t entirely fictional:
While McMaster University is doing excellent research, they have not developed a cure for food allergies, period, full stop.
Here is the text that accompanies the image, keeping in mind the content is totally fabricated:
A groundbreaking medical achievement from McMaster University, Canada, has brought hope to millions worldwide an mRNA vaccine that eliminates peanut allergies in just four injections. Using the same messenger RNA technology pioneered during the COVID-19 pandemic, this treatment retrains immune cells to see peanut proteins as harmless rather than threats.
In a clinical trial of 120 patients with severe peanut allergies, 89% developed full tolerance after only three months of treatment, while others showed reduced sensitivity. None experienced anaphylaxis a first in allergy medicine. The results are life-changing: people once terrified by microscopic traces of peanuts can now enjoy food freely, even eating peanut butter again without fear.
Unlike traditional desensitization therapies that take years, this mRNA approach works rapidly and appears to provide long-term immunity, lasting more than two years so far. Researchers are already adapting it for shellfish, milk, egg, and tree-nut allergies. If approved by 2026, it could end the lifelong struggle of food allergies altogether a quiet revolution in modern medicine, and proof that science can turn fear into freedom.
Reference:
McMaster University Medical Centre. (2025). mRNA Immunotherapy for the Elimination of Peanut Allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
How can you tell it’s fake? Every article mentioning research should include a reference to a peer-reviewed journal or a press release from a reputable research organization. [We at SnackSafely include source annotations at the conclusion of every news article.] Although this text contains a reference, searching for its source yields no results.
Shortly after publication, Food Allergy Canada issued the following advisory:
It has come to our attention that there is a posting on social media claiming that there is a vaccine for peanut allergy from McMaster University in Hamilton ON that is imminently available. While we had determined that the source appeared to be an AI/Bot generated post, on behalf of the community, Food Allergy Canada reached out to McMaster to confirm that the posting was inaccurate. Please see below for their statement.
You can count on Food Allergy Canada to vet these postings and act as your credible source of information for the food allergy community. Please reach out to us anytime at info@foodallergycanada.ca if you are unsure about news you are reading.
Statement from McMaster University
A post generated by AI incorrectly suggested that an mRNA vaccine for food allergy was developed at McMaster. The publication referenced in the post does not exist. Generative AI may be mixing our long history of advancing allergy research with other publicly available scientific concepts. We do have many ongoing studies that aim to better understand how to dismantle food allergy, prevent it, develop next-generation therapies, and improve its management.
We are working diligently with a wide array of national and international partners to have the largest impact possible on food allergy, and we will continue working until a cure is found. We, through our institution and peer-reviewed publications, make official announcements of our advances and breakthroughs.
Dr. Susan Waserman MSc MDCM FRCPC, Manel Jordana MD PhD, Joshua Koenig PhD, Dr. Derek Chu MD, PhD, FRCPC
Whether generative AI or a human was responsible, this was a deliberate attempt to post clickbait, and it causes the food allergy community to face a new concern: disinformation. Please remain vigilant, rely only on reputable sources, verify references, and never try a new drug, supplement, or diet without first consulting your doctor.
