IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 721 

Expressing support for the designation of May 8, 2016, through May 14, 

2016, as Food Allergy Awareness Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 10, 2016 

Mr. ISRAEL (for himself, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, and Mr. COURTNEY) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 

and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of May 8, 2016, 

through May 14, 2016, as Food Allergy Awareness Week. 

Whereas as many as 15,000,000 people in the United States, 

including nearly 6,000,000 children under the age of 18, 

have food allergies, which are potentially life-threatening; 

Whereas research shows that the prevalence of food allergy 

is increasing among children; 

Whereas there is no cure for food allergy and limited understanding of the underlying reasons for the increase in 

prevalence of food allergies among children; 

Whereas 8 foods, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and wheat, cause 90 percent of all food allergy 

reactions in the United States; 


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Whereas strict avoidance of offending foods is the only way 

to prevent an allergic reaction; 

Whereas reactions typically occur when an individual unknowingly eats a food containing an ingredient to which 

they are allergic; 

Whereas the symptoms of a food-allergic reaction can include 

hives, vomiting, respiratory distress, swelling of the 

throat, anaphylaxis, and death; 

Whereas anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is 

rapid in onset and may cause death; 

Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, food allergy results in more than 200,000 

ambulatory care visits a year involving children under age 

18; 

Whereas those with food allergies and parents of children 

with food allergies develop plans for food allergy management that include prompt access to epinephrine; 

Whereas Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the 

quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of 

new treatments, recognizes and supports Food Allergy 

Awareness Week during May of every calendar year; 

Whereas outreach and education to the public may improve 

the response to an allergic reaction; 

Whereas public awareness of food allergies may also enhance 

the commitment to research to understand the causes for 

food allergies and interventions for allergic reaction; and 


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Whereas this year Food Allergy Awareness Week is recognized during the week of May 8, 2016, through May 14, 

2016: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of Food Allergy 

3 Awareness Week; 

4 (2) encourages the President to issue a procla5 mation in support of the goals and ideals of Food 

6 Allergy Awareness Week; 

7 (3) encourages States, territories, possessions of 

8 the United States, and localities to support the goals 

9 and ideals of Food Allergy Awareness Week; 

10 (4) encourages media organizations to partici11 pate in Food Allergy Awareness Week and help edu12 cate the public about food allergies; 

13 (5) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation’s com14 mitment to research the causes of food allergies, 

15 interventions for allergic reactions, and the best way 

16 to prevent individuals from having reactions; and 

17 (6) recognizes all people in the United States 

18 living with food allergies, expresses gratitude to their 

19 family members and friends who are a source of love 

20 and protection to them, and salutes the health care 

21 professionals, teachers, and other caregivers and 


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1 medical researchers who provide assistance to those 

2 so affected. 

Æ 


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