Editor,—The joint statement of the European Society for Paediatric Allergology and Clinical Immunology (ESPACI) and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN),1 deserves some comment.

Firstly, on the use of soy based formulas for the treatment, as well as for the prevention of food allergy: I was disappointed that no word about this subject appeared in the conclusions of the statement. Many have claimed that the use of soy bean formulas in infancy is an efficient way of treating or preventing food allergic disorders, but more recent prospective and randomised clinical studies have shown that soy protein is as allergenic as cow's milk protein.2 As the matter remains controversial,3 I believe that the conclusions should have been that soy based formulas …