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