Researchers Say They've Developed an Allergy-Free Peanut

Researchers say they have developed an 'allergen-free peanut,' giving hope to the thousands of people who suffer with the allergy, Sky News reports.

Worldwide, peanut allergies are on the rise. In the past five years, the number of children suffering peanut allergies in the U.S. has doubled to 600,000. Elsewhere in the world, Australia has one of the highest allergy rates in the world with 1 in 3 people affected.

But relief could be around the corner.

Researchers at North Carolina AT University said they have found a way to de-activate peanut allergens in the lab, but the product still needs to be tested on humans.

And at the University of Florida, researchers are trying to develop a safe peanut without the three proteins, which trigger allergic reactions.

"If we could disarm or eliminate these proteins then we would reduce the number of people allergic to peanuts significantly," said UF professor Maria Gallo.