[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MINOR USE AND MINOR SPECIES ANIMAL HEALTH ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2004

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 741, 
the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act. This legislation 
contains provisions that will better the lives and ease some of the 
frustrations for the more than 7 million Americans that suffer from 
food allergies every day.
  I have had the unfortunate experience to learn more about the trials 
and tribulations of food allergen sufferers when one of the members of 
my staff, Christy Farmer, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease earlier 
this year. Celiac Disease is an immune-mediated disease that causes 
damage to the gastrointestinal tract and is triggered by the 
consumption of gluten. Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, 
barley, oats, and other related grains, which are found in many of the 
foods that people eat on a day to day basis. The only treatment for 
Celiac Disease is adherence to a strict life long gluten-free diet. In 
order to comply with this, individuals must carefully read all food 
labels--which can often be inaccurate and extremely confusing. Many 
times, food products may contain a derivative of a known food allergen, 
however the food label does not make that clear. This can lead to 
people unknowingly consuming exactly what they have been trying so hard 
to avoid. This painstaking process of carefully examining every food 
label and determining the exact ingredient of each product can be 
extremely frustrating and difficult for individuals.
  This legislation will help tremendously in taking some of the 
guesswork out of reading food labels. Manufacturers in the food 
industry must now include the commonly accepted names of the eight most 
common allergens--milk, eggs, fish, crustacea, tree nuts, wheat, 
peanuts, and soybeans. Food allergen sufferers will now be able to scan 
food labels with greater ease and many incidents of accidental 
ingestion can be avoided.
  Having a food allergy, especially to something that is found in so 
many different foods, can add a level of complication to a person's 
life that can be difficult to imagine. Christy was required to undergo 
a total lifestyle change due to her gluten sensitivity. Spontaneously 
stopping at a restaurant for dinner is no longer possible, traveling 
not knowing in advance what foods will be available is no longer an 
option, and giving up your favorite foods is not as easy as it sounds.
  I am pleased that this legislation will help ease some of the 
frustrations and make adhering to an allergy-free diet a little easier 
for the millions of Americans that suffer from food allergies. I 
strongly urge my colleagues in joining me to support S. 741.

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