FAAMA Passes Congress!

Dear Seacoast Food Allergy Group, We did it!! Five years after the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act (FAAMA) was introduced in the U.S. Congress, FAAMA has finally passed as part of the food safety bill and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama. FAAMA will lead to the much-needed creation of national food allergy management guidelines for schools. While these guidelines are voluntary, they will provide schools without existing food allergy management policies with a valuable resource. These policies are critical to help educate school officials about food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition, and help them implement emergency plans in case a severe reaction occurs on school grounds. Studies have shown that up to 25% percent of reactions in school occur in children with previously undiagnosed food allergy. Earlier this month, a fatal reaction occurred at a school in Chicago, allegedly due to food that was consumed at school. The guidelines will also benefit parents of children with food allergies, who are looking for a vetted resource to help them safely manage their child’s food allergies in the school setting. Written largely by FAAN, the national guidelines will not supersede existing or pending state laws orguidelines concerning schools and food allergies. The FAAMA guidelines should be seen as a complement to existing guidelines created as a result of other legislation. This tremendous accomplishment was made possible by the thousands of individuals who advocated for this legislation and many elected representatives who co-sponsored FAAMA over the years, most notably Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), whose daughter has a food allergy, and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who has a grandchild with a food allergy. We celebrate the passage of FAAMA today, but our work is not done. FAAN will continue to work diligently to raise awareness, educate others, and advocate on behalf of the millions of Americans with food allergy and anaphylaxis. Thank you all for your support! Julia Bradsher FAAN CEO

NIH Food Allergy Guidelines

FOOD ALLERGY GUIDELINES

For the first time, clinical guidelines have been issued to help assure quality diagnosis and treatment for millions of American adults and children living with food allergies. These guidelines are intended for use by physicians and other health care practitioners who treat food allergies. Patients will benefit directly, because the guidelines will provide standardized information and recommendations to healthcare providers for the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. A panel of experts convened by the NIH/NIAID, which oversees allergy research, developed these guidelines, and we are proud to play an important role in these guidelines: AAFA's Vice President of Policy & Programs serves on the NIAID's Clinical Practice Guidelines Coordinating Committee, responsible for writing the new guidelines. Also, AAFA's President and CEO serves as a member of the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). What Can You Do? If you have food allergies or care for a child or loved one with food allergies, here is what you can do: See the links below to information about the Food Allergy Guidelines. Make sure your healthcare provider is familiar of the new guidelines. Food Allergy Resources and Tools Link to the Food Allergy Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions About the Guidelines Patient/Family Guide to the Guidelines - Available early 2011 Food & Drug Allergy Resource Page All About Food Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Facts & Figures

Food Allergy Books-Special Offer

Linda Coss, author of several food allergy cookbook's and management books is offering holiday discounts on these great books:

(From Linda Coss)

When it comes to raising a child with life-threatening food allergies, it really does “take a village” - there are many people who need to be on the food allergy management team. That’s why every holiday season since I published my first book in 2000 I've encouraged people to consider giving food allergy books to relatives, friends, caregivers and anyone else who would benefit from having helpful food allergy resources on hand.

Once again, I'm running my annual holiday special: Order by December 31, 2010 and get FREE Priority Mail shipping. There’s no minimum order or coupons required, and you can also save up to 26% when you order the books in sets.

Just go to www.FoodAllergyBooks.com to place your order.

As always, those who would like their books personally autographed or need me to include a gift card just need to ask (by leaving me a note in the “special instructions” section of the order form).

Thank you in advance for helping me spread the word.

Best wishes,
 
Linda Coss
Plumtree Press
949-699-2749
Books to Help Your Family Live with Food Allergies
www.FoodAllergyBooks.com

Gathering for Thanksgiving - FAAN

Gathering for Thanksgiving - FAAN

Food Allergy Research

New Research Presented at ACAAI’s Annual Meeting

Leading allergists and immunologists from around the world gathered last week in Phoenix at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology(ACAAI).

Presentations included the Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF-2), a promising Chinese herbal formula currently being tested for use to treat food allergies; a preview of guidelines for diagnosis and management of food allergy in the U.S. (to be released next month); and the ability of peanut- or tree nut-allergic patients to visually identify these foods (researchers noted that only half of peanut- or tree nut-allergic patients ages 6 and up knew what the nut they are allergic to looked like).

Here are highlights from the media releases from ACAAI.

Researchers presented findings that influenza vaccines (seasonal and H1N1) can contain different amounts of allergenic components, most commonly egg and/or gelatin. Allergists suggest that any egg- or gelatin-allergic patient, or anyone with history of severe reaction to any influenza vaccine, be tested to the specific vaccine lot number they will be given prior to immunization. The study authors noted that it should not be assumed that if one dose of influenza vaccine has been tolerated that it will be tolerated in the future.

Also presented were findings from a study in which researchers examined IgE levels in subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES), a large cross-sectional U.S. population survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2005-2006.

The results were then compared to the Tucson Epidemiological Study (TES), which examined similar data from the 1970s. “Particularly noteworthy is the doubling of IgE levels in individuals over 55 years, and the more gradual decline in levels with increasing age," wrote the authors. They attribute possible reasons for the increase to “allergic sensitization in our population or changes in lab testing.”

Celebrating Thanksgiving when your child has food allergies

Thanksgiving Survival Tips

Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States notable for overindulging on a large spread of traditionally prepared foods, many of which are laced with wheat, eggs, milk and other allergenic ingredients. A perfect holiday for many Americans includes eating a butter-basted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, traditional bread stuffing and Grandma’s pumpkin pie - followed by leaving the table stuffed, loosening one’s belt, and then falling asleep in front of a football game on the TV.

Holidays like Thanksgiving that revolve around food can truly be challenges for families raising children with food allergies. The traditional meal for your family can present numerous allergy risks -- and the risks can be even greater if you are not preparing the meal yourself but relying on someone else to cook the meal. Is there any way around the stress and pressure of a holiday known for allergen-laden foods? Or can the foods be made safe for your food-allergic kids? 

Read More: Celebrating Thanksgiving when your child has food allergies

News From FAAN

Revised School Food Allergy Program Now Available!

We are pleased to announce that our updated School Food Allergy Program is hot off the presses. Endorsed and/or supported by the Anaphylaxis Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the National Association of School Nurses, this program is a comprehensive guide that will enable educators to implement food allergy management policies. Also available is our new Safe@School^® CD-Rom, which complements the School Food Allergy Program. This component provides resources for school nurses or administrators to conduct in-service training about food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Pricing for the program is as follows:

• School Food Allergy Program (includes Comprehensive Guide and Safe@School^®), $75
• Comprehensive Guide Only, $40
• Safe@School^® Only, $40

Your Disney Experience

We will be honoring Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for its longtime commitment to food allergy awareness at an upcoming event. If you’ve been to a Disney park, we’d love to hear about your experience. Please videotape you and your family talking about Disney and e-mail it with the subject "Disney" by Nov. 15. Videos of 2 minutes or less are preferred.

New Content on the Web

Check out our web presence this month – we’ve posted new content to our teen andkids’ websites, in addition to the FAAN website. On our main website, you’ll find tips on managing food allergies during family gatherings on special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Deep Dish Leftover Turkey Pie, a new featured recipe, and a new FAAN member-authored essayby Melissa G. about the journey since her son’s first big reaction. Kids will want to check out the newest “Dear Alexander” advice column, and teens can read the newest essays by members of our Teen Advisory Group. 

Council Volunteers Wanted  

We are still accepting applications for FAAN’s new Adult Advisory Council and Post Grad Advisory Council. These committees will focus on adults with food allergies and post-graduates (ages 18-25) with food allergies, respectively. For more information about these programs or for information on how FAAN members can serve on these councils, contact Eleanor Garrow, Vice President of Education and Outreach.

Pepsi Refresh

Please remember to support FAAN – we have two ideas in the running for grants from the Pepsi Refresh Project this month.Vote to Fund a Cure for Life-Threatening Food Allergies and vote to launch Camp TAG. Please vote (for both projects) each and every day through Nov. 30!

 

Allergy-friendly Advent Calendar

News from Blue Bear Aware

Chocolate Advent Calendars have arrived! 
Behind every door on your Advent Calendar is a peanut free, nut free, egg free and dairy free chocolate! A wonderful way to count down the Holiday Season, especially if your son or daughter has never been able to have such a calendar in the past!
Avoiding Milk Blog: Chocolate Advent Calendars

Halloween Candy Buy Back

A dentist in Dover, Nh is buying back candy at a $1 a pound and the candy will get sent overseas to the men and women in the military - thought this would be good for all of food allergic families who have candy that they can't do anything with ;) (Thanks Wendy!)


http://www.howarddental.com/

Change in Meeting Date

Our next meeting will be Monday Nov. 15, 7-9 pm at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Classroom 1.
The hospital had a conflict and asked us to change the date. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Gluten-Free Candy for Halloween

Here are the latest gluten-free lists of candies as of September 2010, plus links to manufacturers' websites. (From about.com via Jane Anderson)

 Gluten-Free Candy - Gluten-Free Candy for Halloween

Peanut-free Treats (via. Allergymoms.com)

Keep in mind that NO candy is safe for everyone. Having said that here are some varieties that are “safe” for a variety of allergies. Remember to READ THE LABEL every time, even if it’s a candy you’ve purchased previously. Many times, Halloween versions will contain different ingredients. Be Safe: All treats, No tricks!

Divvies Chocolate Ghosts and Halloween Jelly Beans: Delicious gourmet chocolate and beautifully colored Halloween Jelly beans free of milk, egg, peanuts and tree nuts. Divvies Popcorn is the best and is perfect for classroom parties! (Did you know that some flavored jelly beans contain peanut flour?)
Smarties! Probably the best known candy free of the major food allergens. Small, fun, and free of milk, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shell fish, soy and even sesame! Smarties Mega Lollies are similar and may also work for your child.
Spangler Candy: Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops and more. Dum Dums are the perfect size, and come in a variety of flavors and are easy to find in the grocery store.
Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Chocolate Bars: The Rice milk variety is sweet and perfect for kids and these are available at Whole Foods, in the grocery store and many specialty foods stores.
Willy Wonka Candies including Fun Dip, Pixy Stix and Nerds!
Swedish Fish Easy to find and usually available in Halloween sized bags!
Gimbals Gummy Candies Very Allergy Friendly Company.
Tootsie makes several fun candies that may be safe for your child including:“Dots” , and year they have really cute “candy corn” dots! Their Wak-O-Wax lips (you know, the vampire kind) are also safe for many allergies. My kids love the Nik-L-Nip wax bottles and sticks and the Razzles (remember: “First it’s candy, then it’s gum.”)may be safe for many as well.
Vermont Nut Free Chocolates: This is delicious creamy chocolate that is nut free, of course, but also comes in dark (milk free) varieties.
Surf Sweets and Yummy Earth make beautiful, organic candy that is free of dyes and many common food allergens.

Skittles and Starburst are often safe for allergic children and are easy to find in many local grocery stores.

And if you’d prefer to skip the candy and pass out non-edible treats (you can always use the leftovers for party favors) here is a list of non-edible treats.

12 Halloween tips for parents with food allergic children

Tips from Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) to manage Halloween with food allergies.

12 Halloween tips for parents with food allergic children

FAAN Webcast: Food Allergies and Schools

Food Allergy and Schools Webcast

FAAN’s Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations, Christopher Weiss, will be participating in a webcast entitled “Food Allergies and Schools: Keeping Students Safe and Ready to Learn,” sponsored by the National School Boards Association. This webcast, which will feature national experts, educators, parents, and students with life-threatening food allergies, will take place Nov. 9 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET. The webcast is free, but you must register to view it. We encourage you to participate in this educational webcast, and let your local school officials know about it as well.

Food Allergies and Bullies via CNN.com

Food allergies make kids a target of bullies - CNN.com

Guide to Parenting a Child with Food Allergies download

Download this free quick guide to essential information for parenting a food-allergic child written by Michael Pistiner, M.D., M.M.Sc. 

Guide to Parenting a Child with Food Allergies

Food Allergy Class at Mass General

Food Allergy 101:
Preparing You and Your Child
for the School Year Ahead 
6 pm | September 28, 2010
Satter Conference Room, Second Floor
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care
32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 

Food Allergy 101: Preparing You and Your Child for the School Year Ahead

Anaphylaxis information on PBS

The Rosenbloom family, longtime friends of FAI, and noted researcher Scott Sicherer, MD (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City) appear in an informative episode of this series, which airs on PBS stations nationwide.  You don't have to wait for your local broadcast, however...you can watch the show onlineright now! 

The Health and Wellness Series = Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.com

New Epipen Injector?

Millions of people at risk for severe allergic reactions to certain foods and bee stings rely on pen-sized syringes that contain a life-saving dose of the drug epinephrine to administer in an emergency. Read More..Brothers of invention | The News & Advance

Peer Education - FAAN

FAAN provides tips on how to integrate peer education into your child's school.

Peer Education - FAAN

Article by Linda Coss

Raising a well-adjusted child who happens to have food allergies

Until There's a Cure Featuring Dr. Oz - PSA 20 sec.

Images of a reaction

The following video has images and the story of an allergic reaction.


Facebook | Videos Posted by Onespot Allergy: Food Allergy - Images Of Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis

CBC News - Canada - What teachers and parents should know about severe food allergies

CBC News - Canada - What teachers and parents should know about severe food allergies

Back to School Resources

Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) has online resources including Sample 504 plans and School Health plans, School discussion guides and other tips.

Food Allergic Kids | School Resources

News From FAAN

College Network

As college students head off to campus for the first time, it’s a good idea for them to check out FAAN’s College Network! This is an online searchable database that offers contact information for personnel (primarily dietitians) on campuses across the country so that individuals can learn about campus food allergy management policies. Each college in the database has a College Representative listed who can assist new students. Additionally, Student Ambassadors, who are students currently attending college, can be found in the database. These Ambassadors can offer valuable insight into managing food allergies on campus. If you know anyone interested in serving as a Student Ambassador, please let them know about this website. There is a form online that can be filled out and submitted for consideration.

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Food Allergens and Medications Survey

FAAN and researchers at the University of Michigan have created a brief, anonymous online survey about food allergens and medications. We invite you to take the short survey, as we hope to present the results to theFDA, the federal agency that oversees the labeling of medications.

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Teen Summit Registration

Registration for FAAN’s Fifth Annual Teen Summit  is still open. Teens with food allergies, ages 11 to 20, and their siblings, ages 11 to 20, are encouraged to join us on Oct. 22-24 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD for a weekend of fun, education, and discussion. Attendees must be FAAN members. Registration ends Sept. 24. Space is limited, so sign up today!

Food Labels: Gaps on Dairy, Egg; Better on Peanut

Food Allergy: Unreliable Labels

A Patch for Peanut Allergies?

Researchers who are working to find a way to treat food allergies have their sights on the next target – desensitization through the skin. 

Read More:
Peanut Allergy: Peanut Patch

Revised Food Allergy Action Plan Online

In time for the first day of school in many districts, FAAN’s Food Allergy Action Plan (FAAP) has been revised for ease of use and includes visual instructions for various epinephrine auto-injectors. Remember to have your child’s doctor complete the FAAP before school starts and make sure the school keeps a copy on file.

National Institutes of Health Expands Food Allergy Research Program

FAAN is pleased to share with you some encouraging news on the food allergy research front – federal funding for studies conducted by the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) has been renewed for an additional five years.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has committed to a nearly $30 million grant for CoFAR, which was established in 2005, to enable CoFAR to continue to work on developing treatments for food allergy. CoFAR also is expanding its area of focus to include food allergy-associated eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases(EGIDs) and to study the genetic causes of food allergy.

More information is available on the NIH website.

Deadline for Comments to DOT on Airline Rules-August 9

Despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently stated that it cannot use federal funding to implement or enforce a regulation concerning the distribution of peanuts on airlines, the agency is still accepting public comments regarding this issue.

FAAN is hopeful that if enough comments are submitted, DOT will investigate further by initiating a study into the risk of airborne allergic reactions to peanuts on commercial airlines. Deadline for the comments is Monday, Aug. 9. 

To see the initial clarifying statement from the DOT, FAAN’s public comment, and comments from other members of the public, visit FAAN’s online Legislative Action Center. From there you can easily link to theregulations.gov website, where comments are collected. 

Cute bracelet for kids that helps raise awareness

Allerbling - New Food Allergy Awareness Bracelet

(From Website) Allerbling^TM is a visual educational tool and a conversation piece that has the potential to save children’s lives by raising awareness of a child’s food allergies. Allerbling^TM is cute and approachable, so kids will want to wear it. Yet it is clearly marked as a medical product for children’s caregivers. It displays the iconic symbols of the food products that are risky to the children, so their teachers and caregivers can be constantly reminded at a glance. We believe the Allerbling^TM wristband will help young children, ages three and up; as they learn to read and talk about the ingredients in the food they eat; and what is not safe for them. It is a product that reduces children’s health risk and that is no child’s play!