Pandemic Jolts Federal Policy for Food Labeling

Because of the coronavirus, the Food and Drug Administration has recently issued interim food labeling guidelines, in response to possible supply chain issues and shortages. These guidelines created confusion as to “what’s in, what’s out and what’s new” in food products. As a result, there have been responses and reactions from throughout the food allergy community. From petitions to letters, from comments to FDA to calls for clarity regarding these guidelines, our community has been vocal in response to these changes. And the FDA heard us. The FDA has developed a FAQ page and provided additional guidance to help clarify its new guidelines.

Pandemic Jolts Federal Policy for Food Labeling

Reporting by Patrick Morris
June 20, 2020

If you suffer from a food allergy, a food’s product label is essential reading. It can help determine what foods are safe to eat and which are not. Because of the coronavirus, the FDA recently has issued interim food labeling guidelines, in response to possible supply chain issues and shortages. These changes produced confusion and frustration among numerous allergy suffers. The Allergy Advocacy Association, working with other members of the food allergy community, lobbied the FDA about the possible impact these label guideline changes could have. To provide a better understanding of these interim requirements the FDA has developed a FAQ page.

Drug Makers Have Even Less Reason to Fear Price Reform Now

The race for a vaccine to the coronavirus, can be felt in many places. From hospitals to research facilities, from schools to businesses, big and small, to even the halls of Capitol Hill. In pursuit of a vaccine, the issue of drug pricing, appears to of slowed if not stalled in Congress. The race for a vaccine, with lessened regulation and increased federal monies for drug research and innovation, have provided the pharmaceutical industry increased leverage in the drug pricing battle. While we all hope for a vaccine to the coronavirus soon, lawmakers must be reminded of the drug makers past behavior with drug pricing and the need for affordable lifesaving medicine.

Drug Makers Have Even Less Reason to Fear Price Reform Now

With people hoping for a coronavirus vaccine, Congress has less leverage to rein in the industry.

By Riley Griffin and Emma Court
June 18, 2020

When a headhunter for the drug industry approached Michelle McMurry-Heath in January about taking the helm of a powerful trade group, she brushed off the offer. She wasn’t interested in making “bad-smelling” positions palatable to Washington. “If you’re looking for a typical lobbyist,” she recalls saying, “I’m not that person.”

AAFA and MedicAlert© Foundation Announce a New Pact to Help Save Lives

COVID-19 has certainly brought to everyone’s attention that people with asthma are at a greater risk of severe illness and hospitalization if they contract the virus. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the MedicAlert Foundation have joined forces to develop an online asthma or anaphylaxis treatment plan that will be part of a MedicAlert member’s health profile. In an emergency, MedicAlert will relay the action plan and other critical medical information to first responders to ensure fast and accurate treatment. If you have asthma or a life-threatening allergy, now is the time to get yourself a MedicAlert ID!

AAFA and MedicAlert© Foundation Announce a New Pact to Help Save Lives

Partnership Raises Awareness of Asthma and Anaphylaxis

May 05, 2020
Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Washington, D.C., May 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over 65 million people in the United States live with asthma or allergies to food, drugs or other allergens. Tragically, 3,600 people die each year from asthma – deaths that are often preventable. COVID-19 poses additional danger to these populations. Two leading non-profits have joined forces to raise awareness and provide resources for living with these potentially life-threatening conditions: asthma and anaphylaxis.

New Pill Could Prevent Anaphylaxis in People with Food, Drug Allergies

A game changer is defined as “an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something.” The possibility of a pill that could prevent anaphylaxis has that potential. For those that suffer from life threatening allergies, the ability to proactively deal with anaphylaxis would not only be welcomed relief, it could provide comfort and reassurance to their loved ones, as well as saving countless lives. And that truly would be a game changer.

New Pill Could Prevent Anaphylaxis in People with Food, Drug Allergies

Drug Would Be The First Known Treatment To Prevent Anaphylaxis

By Kristin Samuelson
June 2, 2020

For someone with a food or drug allergy, the risk of life-threatening anaphylactic shock lurks around every corner. A new Northwestern Medicine study shows there might be a pill that can be taken proactively to prevent mild to life-threatening anaphylaxis, no matter the cause. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen. It occurs in about one in 50 Americans, though many believe the rate is higher (closer to one in 20), according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If a person’s blood pressure drops so low during anaphylaxis or their airway closes enough that they can’t get enough oxygen to their organs, they enter anaphylactic shock.

FARE Launches Baby's First: Reduce the Risk of Food Allergies

FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is proud to announce a new initiative called “Baby’s First” that hopes to reduce the number of children who have food allergies. New and soon-to-be parents will have access to all the best information on introducing new foods, available in one place from a trusted source. Studies now show that introducing a variety of foods into a baby’s diet is recommended, including peanut foods, if the infant is at risk for a peanut allergy. Always check with your baby’s doctor first!

FARE Launches Baby’s First: Reduce the Risk of Food Allergies

By News Wire ~ 3rd Party Press Release

New Online Hub Dedicated to Raising Awareness and Educating New Parents

McLean, Va. (April 30, 2020) — Today, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), the world’s leading food allergy advocacy organization and the largest private funder of food allergy research, announced the launch of a new resource geared at raising awareness of the benefits of introducing a variety of new foods to babies and educating people on how they might be able to help reduce the risk of developing food allergies.